Students begin pathway to future careers

Townsville City Council is welcoming a new intake of students who are keen to kickstart their careers through Council’s Choice Pathways program.

Choice Pathways is a school-to-work transition program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students that has been developed by Council and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training.

A Council spokesperson said the six new students have already commenced their training with the Registered Training Organisation and they have started their first work placementwith Townsville City Council.

“The 2020 Choice Pathways program gives year 11 students an opportunity to start a Certificate II in Engineering Pathways, which runs over two years,” the spokesperson said.

“The program includes 20 days of work experience which will help students prepare for the workforce and give them hands on experience.”

The Council spokesperson said the program had achieved great results last year.

“We had the pilot program for Choice Pathways in 2019 and six of the participants graduated from school with a Certificate I in Construction,” the spokesperson said.

“One student was the first member of his family to graduate high school and now he has an extra leg up so that he can succeed when he enters the workforce too.

“Choice Pathways is a great way to develop skills that are valued by employers – it gives these students a chance to prepare for life after school while they complete year 11 and 12.

“Participants completing the program will earn Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) points.”

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