Careers

Career and Enterprise at Iona Presentation College is driven by the Australian Blueprint for Career Development as we undertake as many principles as possible to strengthen career development learning in multiple settings for our students. We offer exploration of career competencies and engage students in active planning and preparation of their own career goals.

The two pathways offered at the College, TER Pathway and Access Learning Pathway offer our girls structured and comprehensive opportunities for tertiary study. We are seeing now, more than ever, exponential growth in possibilities for students at TAFE and University. This provides us with scope to assist our girls to achieve their goals through a number of different scenarios.

INSTEP (Innovative Skills Training and Education Program)

INSTEP WEST is a quality program that provides realistic learning in the workplace for interested Year 11 and Year 12 students. It is the first school-based industry placement program that includes assessment by employers.

INSTEP WEST revolves around a learning strategy that enables students to achieve secondary graduation using both school and workplace learning environments. It is a joint industry-school venture, which benefits industry, students and the wider school community.

Students in Year 11 are in industry work placements one day a week throughout the year and are assessed on competencies. This provides hands-on work experience, develops independence and encourages a mature study environment.

In Year 12, students have the option of completing INSTEP Plus where they will gain a recognised TAFE qualification on completion. This qualification ensures them entry directly into TAFE, aids in a Bachelor entry for University (at Level IV) and qualifies students for entry into participating University Preparation courses.
We are proud our INSTEP program and encourage interested students to follow this as a viable pathway for many post secondary alternatives.

Any parent interested in being involved from a business and training angle is asked to contact Leonie Cockman as soon as possible ( leonie@instepwest.com ).

Parental Involvement

Parents being partners of girls’ education and career development is very much encouraged at the College. Appointments can be made with the Career and Enterprise Coordinator for subject selection, suitable pathway selection, career preparation, scholarship information etc. Phone calls and emails are also welcome (koshea@iona.wa.edu.au).

Students also need to develop knowledge and understanding of themselves in relation to the changing world of work before making and implementing decisions about careers. There are many online resources which can assist students in their career development. They are an excellent way of assisting your daughter in the process of managing life, learning and work.

www.myfuture.edu.au
www.jobguide.dest.gov.au
www.careersonline.com.au
www.careerone.com.au

Tertiary institutions update websites regularly for course descriptions, additional courses, prerequisite requirements and various entry schemes. Investigation of these websites encourages girls to take responsibility for their own transitional development and information can be found at the following locations (WA only has been listed):

www.ecu.edu.au
www.curtin.edu.au
www.murdoch.edu.au
www.nd.edu.au
www.tafe.wa.edu.au
www.uwa.edu.au

Information on University Preparation Courses and Enabling Programs can also be found on these site under the prospective students sections.

Miss Kathleen O’Shea
Career and Enterprise Coordinator