Council and High School strike historic agreement
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Bland Shire Council has entered into an historic agreement with West Wyalong High School providing students with the opportunity to commence school based apprenticeships or traineeships.
This will enable students to attain a nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification as well as their Higher School Certificate
Council’s General Manager, Ray Smith, was joined by West Wyalong High School principal Greg Sheens, Karen Burke, Director, Educational Leadership and School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships Officer, School Services Directorate, Jacqui Spencer at the Bland Shire Council Chambers this week for a formal signing ceremony.
The Partnership Agreement for Career Transition (PACT) is a joint agreement to enhance the career opportunities available at Bland Shire Council to students at West Wyalong High School through three key partnerships - Work Experience, School Based Traineeships and Apprenticeships (SBATs) and the provision of Industry Access such as school visits, presentations and mentoring.
“The PACT can only strengthen the broader bond between West Wyalong High School, Council and the community it serves. We believe the investment Council has committed to under this agreement represents good value and achieves great outcomes for all,” Mr Sheens said.
Bland Shire General Manager, Ray Smith, said the document formalises a number of long standing informal arrangements between Council and West Wyalong High School - such as work experience, school visits and staff presentations and mentoring – while also introducing new initiatives such as the introduction of SBATs.
Under the agreement, Council will –
Support a minimum of two new SBATs annually until at least 2021 Provide up to 10 work experience placements each year Support the West Wyalong High School Career program by providing staff and resources for career information activities, access to Council sites for student visits and provide mentoring opportunities to High School students.“There are currently 14 High School students participating in the SBATs program through local small business and this agreement presents an exciting opportunity to partner with Council to deliver further opportunities for our students,” Mr Sheens said.
“The SBATs program is growing as an initiative employers can access to “grow their own” future staff and from a student’s perspective is highly valued as a career path choice.”
The agreement takes immediate effect and will remain in place until at least December 2021.