In her senior years of school, Year 12 student Ella Shepherd has chosen to gain industry experience in the field she hopes to one day work, enabling her to graduate with a head start in the workforce and in her university studies.
Ella has been able to do so through St Margaret’s Portfolio Pathways Program which encourages students to study for a qualification outside of school during Years 10 to 12. Students can gain accreditations across a range of industries including sport, hospitality, health, community services, engineering and agriculture.
While in Year 11, Ella chose to study a Certificate II in Health Support Services at TAFE Queensland because she has a passion for helping others and wanted to explore a career in nursing. She enjoyed it so much that she is now completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance. Ella has also completed a Diploma of Project Management.
“Studying the Certificate II gave me a taste of what a career in health entailed and affirmed my decision to pursue a career in nursing before I finish school.
“When I finish the Certificate III, I will be qualified to work as an Assistant in Nursing (AIN) so that I can get a job straight out of school while I continue my studies at university.
“I will also have a head start on my university studies, already having foundation knowledge that will assist me in studying a Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Paramedicine,” Ella said.
Ella attends TAFE one afternoon a week where she gains practical experience under the guidance of teachers from industry, which is readying her for a range of health care environments and workplaces.
“We complete our practical in labs, which are wards with simulated patients in an environment as close to the real world as possible, and I will complete an industry placement in the July school holidays. My teacher has been a great mentor, and since she currently works in industry, we receive the most up to date information and very real examples of what happens in the workforce.
“I’ve also established a new network of friends who are all on the same learning journey, which has been a great support,” she said.
In studying both Certificate courses, Ella has also gained valuable credits towards her QCE and university entry.
“I feel confident about leaving school because I’ve had the opportunity to trial a career and to gain qualifications and experience that will give me a head start in my university studies and future work.
“I feel more confident about getting a job as well because I already have qualifications and experience in the field.
“Having the chance to gain practical, real-world experience has enhanced my studies at school and allowed me to connect my learning with what I want to do in the future,” Ella said.