TAFE NSW Bathurst is celebrating the graduation of its Certificate II in Career Preparations cohort after they successfully completed their year 10 equivalent outside of a traditional high school environment.

The National Skills Commission predicts 90% of new jobs created in the next five years will need post-secondary qualification, and TAFE NSW is providing alternative learning pathways for young people to gain the skills needed to succeed in the work force.

TAFE NSW Teacher, Cameron Johnson, said it is important to celebrate these milestones, which demonstrate the students’ commitment to furthering their education and mark the beginning of their journey in lifelong learning.

“Young people take up this course for various reasons, but they all have a common end goal and that is to improve their employment opportunities through education,” Mr Johnson said.

“This course focuses on the key subjects that they would be learning at school, like Maths and English, but we also make sure they have the life skills needed to embark on a successful career.

“It’s inspiring to see them work hard, work as a team, and to see most of them enrol in the year 11 and 12 equivalent qualification, or other courses of interest, next term.

“Committing to this course has given them a great foundation for their careers and they all know that the more they learn, the more options and opportunities they will have down the track.”

Course graduate, Savannah Cousins, said learning at TAFE NSW was completely different to her high school experience and she encourages anyone looking for an alternative pathway to give it a go.

“I’d heard good things about TAFE NSW from friends who were completing TVET courses and other programs, but it was my deputy principal that helped me make the decision to enrol,” Savannah said.

“Everything felt more relaxed, we were treated like adults, and the smaller classes meant more one-on-one time with the teacher.

“The topics and skills that we learnt felt important and relevant to our futures.

“I’m looking forward to coming back next term to complete my year 11 and 12 equivalent, and then my goal is to work in Aged Care, so this is just the beginning of my TAFE NSW journey.”