SCHOOL TO WORK RESOURCeS

Our School to Work Resources are your one-stop-shop for careers and pathway advice. This collection helps young people, families, and schools explore career options, build job readiness skills, and connect with education, training, and employment opportunities. We’ve pulled together a range of guides, videos and tools to support students as they plan their future after school.

  1. How to Write a Resume (video by Hume Whittlesea LLEN & Sacha Kaluri)

  2. Guide to Writing a Cover Letter (guide)

  3. Personal Branding (video by Hume Whittlesea LLEN & Sacha Kaluri)

  4. Online Presence (video)

  5. Building a Network (video)

  6. Positive Mindset (video)

  7. Preparing for a Job Interview (video)

  8. Get Ready for Your Placement (video)

Work Readiness Essentials

Future of Work & Career Planning

  1. How Can I Get Better Prepared for the Future of Work? (article by Jeanette Pope)

  2. Links to free online learning options (eg. MOOCs, Code Clubs)

  3. Building Future-Ready Skills (creativity, teamwork, digital literacy, etc.)

School-to-Work Pathways Programs

  1. GET VET - Explore the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority's comprehensive resources about Vocational Education and Training. Learn about VET programs, pathways and hear directly from students through video testimonials about their VET experiences.

  2. School to Work Portal - Search and apply for structured workplace learning placements across Victoria. This Department of Education portal connects students with opportunities by region and industry sector.
    Download the School to Work Portal info postcard (PDF) A handy overview to share with students, parents or educators explaining how to use the School to Work Portal to find Structured Workplace Learning (SWL), School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT) and work experience opportunities across the state.

  3. Career pathway guides for students and educators - coming soon

Work Readiness Essentials

1.HOW TO WRITE A RESUME

Whether you're gearing up for a part-time job, an internship, or simply preparing for the future, crafting your first resume is a crucial step in showcasing your skills and experiences to potential employers. As a secondary student, you might be wondering where to start. No worries—we've got you covered!

What is a Resume?

A resume is a document that summarises your education, skills, experiences, and achievements. It's your personal advertisement—a tool to market yourself to employers.

How Long Should My Resume Be?

For students like you, one page is often enough. It's essential to be concise and only include the most relevant details.

Let's Get Started: Basic Sections of a Resume

Contact Information:

At the top, clearly list your:

  • Full name

  • Phone number

  • Professional email address (preferably one without funky or silly words)

  • Home address (optional nowadays, but can be useful depending on the situation)

Objective or Summary (Optional): A brief statement about what you're looking for. For example: "Determined secondary school student seeking a part-time retail position to gain practical experience."

Education:

  • School name and location

  • Expected graduation date

  • Relevant coursework or projects (if any)

Experience: This includes both paid and unpaid experiences.

  • Job title (e.g., Cashier, Volunteer, Intern)

  • Company/Organisation name and location

  • Dates of employment

  • Brief bullet points of your duties and accomplishments.

Skills: Highlight both hard (technical) and soft skills.

Examples: MS Office proficiency, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, time management, etc.

Extracurricular Activities and Achievements: This can be school clubs, sports, or any awards you've received.

References: It's common to state "References available upon request." However, always have a separate list ready if asked!

2. GUIDE TO WRITING A COVER LETTER

1.Header:

Your name, Your phone number, Your email address, Employer’s name, Company name, Company address, Company city, state, and zip code

2. Salutation: Address the hiring manager directly (e.g., "Dear Mr. Smith"). If you don't know their name, "Dear Hiring Manager" works.

3. Opening Paragraph:

Introduce yourself and specify the position you're applying for.

Mention where you found the job posting or how you heard about the position.

4. Middle Paragraphs (1-2 paragraphs):

Explain why you’re a good fit for the job. Use specific examples that demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with the role.

Discuss achievements or experiences that might set you apart from other candidates.

5. Closing Paragraph:

Express your genuine interest in the company and the position.

Mention your eagerness to discuss further in an interview.

6. Complimentary Close: Use phrases like "Sincerely" or "Warm regards," followed by your name.

Dear [Employer’s Name or "Hiring Manager"],

I am writing to express my interest in the [specific position] at [Company Name], as advertised on [where you found the job posting, e.g., "your company's careers page"]. As a diligent student with a passion for [relevant field or topic, e.g., "technology and programming"], I believe I would be a valuable addition to your team.

During my time at [School Name], I've been actively involved in [specific activity or club, e.g., "the Coding Club"], where I've had the chance to [specific achievement or responsibility, e.g., "lead a team project on developing a mobile application"]. This experience not only honed my technical skills but also instilled in me the values of teamwork and effective communication. Furthermore, my role as [another example, e.g., "a student mentor"] has fostered my ability to guide peers, understand their challenges, and find collaborative solutions.

What excites me most about the opportunity at [Company Name] is [specific detail about the company or position that attracted you, e.g., "your innovative approach to software development and your commitment to fostering young talents"]. I am eager to bring my enthusiasm, dedication, and willingness to learn to a forward-thinking company like yours.

Thank you for considering my application. I am looking forward to the possibility of contributing to [Company Name] and would be delighted to provide further information or discuss my candidacy in an interview.

Warm regards,

[Your Name]

3. PERSONAL BRANDING

Brought to you by Hume Whittlesea LLEN and speaker Sacha Kaluri this video focuses on personal branding. Find out how to create a 'brand' that's really just the best version of you, so people know exactly what you bring to the table when it comes to jobs and opportunities. Don't miss this if you want to get ahead in the real world.

4. ONLINE PRESENCE

Brought to you by Hume Whittlesea LLEN and featuring speaker Sacha Kaluri, this video aims to guide you in establishing a strong online presence. Learn practical tips on how to present yourself effectively on social media and other online platforms, enhancing your prospects for internships, jobs, and other opportunities. Watch this to understand how to align your online image with your career goals.

5. BUILDING A NETWORK

Presented by Hume Whittlesea LLEN and featuring speaker Sacha Kaluri, this video provides invaluable insights into the art of networking. Learn how to connect with the right people, nurture professional relationships, and make lasting impressions that could open doors for your future. Don't miss out on this essential guide to building a network that can help you achieve your career goals.

6. POSITIVE MINDSET

Presented by Hume Whittlesea LLEN and featuring speaker Sacha Kaluri, learn about how a positive mindset can help you put your best foot forward in your career.

7. PREPARING FOR A JOB INTERVIEW

A pre-made presentation that into common interview questions in the education sector, tips for showcasing your teaching philosophy, and strategies for discussing classroom management.

8. GETTING READY FOR YOUR PLACEMENT

Whether you're heading into an internship, SWL, or work experience, this guide aims to set you up for success. Created with input from local young people, the video offers practical advice to help you make the most of your placement opportunity.

Future of Work & Career Planning

1.HOW CAN I GET BETTER PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK?

By Jeanette Pope

You are facing a vastly different future of work than your parents. How can you better prepare for the world of work of the future? It’s not as hard as you might think…

It starts with you working out what you like doing – what are you good at? what do you enjoy?

Thinking about this will help you to start exploring what’s out there and how you can make school more interesting to help you finish. Work in the future will be high-skilled, and finishing school will still get you better and higher paid work. But that can include trades, and there are heaps of options. Jump online and start exploring these fantastic sites written by and for young people: https://year13.com.au/ or https://myfuture.edu.au/

Second, work out if you are getting the right skills for future jobs. The best skills are the generic ones you can take across jobs (digital skills, communication, project management, creativity, working with others). You can learn these skills a million ways (and add them to your CV), for example, through:

  • code clubs

  • free online courses (google “MOOCs”)

  • organising your friends to challenge yourselves, for example, through the Whitelion Eureka Climb or three peaks challenge

  • grabbing some friends to make something – an event, radio show, a short film, a sporting match, fix up a car, a gamers challenge… the possibilities are endless.

Finally, and to overcome the main reason young people are disadvantaged in labour markets, you need work experience (and job search, job application and interviewing skills, etc). Jump online at https://www.100ways.com.au/ You’ll be surprised by the opportunities your community is offering.

The best thing to do to prepare for the future is to do something! Don’t be afraid to talk to people around you – you’ll be surprised who will want to help – and the fun things they might know about that you can do.

2.LINKS TO FREE ONLINE LEARNING OPTIONS

These Australian platforms offer high-quality, free online learning opportunities specifically designed for high school students. Whether you're looking to develop coding skills, explore career options, or simply expand your knowledge in different subject areas, these resources provide accessible ways to build capabilities that will prepare you for future study and work. Many offer self-paced learning that can fit around your school commitments and personal interests.

  1. Code Club Australia - https://codeclubau.org/ Fun coding activities and projects specifically designed for Australian students

  2. Digital Skills Victoria - https://digitalskills.vic.gov.au/ Victorian Government's free digital skills training tailored for young people

  3. ABC Education - https://education.abc.net.au/home#!/home Free educational resources from Australia's national broadcaster with engaging content for teens

  4. MOOC List Australia - https://www.mooc-list.com/countries/australia Comprehensive directory of free online courses from Australian universities and institutions

  5. 100ways.com.au - https://100ways.com.au/ Australian resource offering practical ways to develop future-ready skills and capabilities

  6. CSIRO Digital Careers - https://www.digitalgripasustralia.org/ Interactive learning experiences focused on digital technologies and STEM

  7. Australian Computing Academy - https://aca.edu.au/resources/ Free resources teaching the Australian Digital Technologies curriculum

  8. Young ICT Explorers - https://www.youngictexplorers.net.au/ Digital project competition for students with free learning resources

3.BUILDING FUTURE-READY SKILLS

These skills are what Australian employers are looking for right now. Here's how to develop them while still at school:

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

  • Join the Tournament of Minds competition

  • Participate in Science and Engineering Challenge events

  • Take part in the Australian Mathematics Competition

  • Get involved with local council youth forums

  • Explore the activities at 100ways.com.au to develop problem-solving skills

Digital Literacy

  • Join a CoderDojo club near you

  • Create and manage your own YouTube channel or podcast

  • Participate in the Australian STEM Video Game Challenge

  • Learn skills through Youth Digital Hubs in your local library

  • Use 100ways.com.au resources to build digital capabilities

Collaboration & Communication

  • Join state debating competitions

  • Sign up for Duke of Edinburgh's Award

  • Volunteer with local community organizations

  • Participate in Model United Nations conferences

  • Try team-based activities suggested on 100ways.com.au

Adaptability & Resilience

  • Try Outdoor Education Australia programs

  • Participate in youth leadership camps

  • Join local sports teams or drama groups

  • Take a short course in something completely new at TAFE

  • Check out resilience-building strategies on 100ways.com.au

Creativity & Innovation

  • Enter the Young Archie art competition

  • Join the Young Entrepreneurs program

  • Participate in Startup Weekends for high school students

  • Enter Triple J's Unearthed High competition

  • Explore creative thinking exercises from 100ways.com.au

Self-Management & Initiative

  • Create a small business through the $20 Boss program

  • Start a school-based environmental initiative

  • Take on leadership roles in school or local youth groups

  • Document your projects and achievements in a digital portfolio

  • Use the self-management tools available on 100ways.com.au

Local Opportunities: Contact Central Ranges LLEN for information about regional programs and initiatives available specifically for students in your area.

School-to-Work Pathways Program

1.GET VET - VICTORIAN CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY

The GET VET resource hub provides essential information for students considering Vocational Education and Training options. VET programs allow students to gain practical skills and nationally recognised qualifications while completing their VCE or VCAL.

Key resources include:

  • GET VET Guide - Comprehensive information about VET programs, how they work with senior secondary certificates and potential career pathways.

  • VET Program Video Library - Watch real students share their experiences across various VET programs and industries.

  • What is VET? - Learn the fundamentals of Vocational Education and Training and how it can create valuable career opportunities.

These resources help students understand how VET can provide practical skills, industry connections and qualifications that lead to further education opportunities or employment.