What are my options at the end of Year 12?

Options for most young people in Year 12 include:

• further study or training
• employment
• combinations of study/training and employment
• gap year.

Find out about these options by clicking on the one that interests you.

Check out this site

www.year12whatnext.gov.au/

Download a handout: Options after Year 12

Contact your career counsellor

Email: roslynlim@terrace.qld.edu.au

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Further study or training

When selecting a further study or training pathway, you need to consider:

• your occupational/employment goals
• the level and length of study that suits you
• financial considerations
• employment opportunities.

1. Your occupational/employment goals

Use these websites to find study/training pathways for the occupations you are considering.

www.jobguide.dest.gov.au

Jobguide, online and in book form, provides information on occupations and the pathways for gaining entry to them. Each Year 10 student receives a copy of this book during his career education program. Copies of the book can also be borrowed from the Career section of the Terrace library.

www.myfuture.edu.au

myfuture is Australia’s career information service. In ‘The facts’ section, you can access information about occupations and courses.

www.tafe.qld.gov.au

This site is a portal to all TAFE institutes in Queensland. It provides information on all accredited courses offered by each institute.

www.qtac.edu.au

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) is a private organisation which handles the application and offer processes for a number of tertiary institutions in Queensland. The website provides information on tertiary courses offered in Queensland. All Year 12 students in Queensland receive a QTAC Guide.

www.goingtouni.gov.au/Home.htm

The Going to uni site has most things you might want to know about university study in Australia including institutions and the courses they offer.

If you are unsure about your occupational interests, you might consider:

• studying a generalist course (e.g., arts, science, business) and specialise later on
• doing a combined course that will give you several job options
• deferring formal studies until a future time.

2. The level and length of study that suits you

In Australia we have a national system of qualifications called the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Table 1 provides a list of the accredited qualifications.

 

Table 1. The Australian Qualifications Framework (from the AQF website at www.aqf.edu.au)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The different levels of qualifications on the AQF are a bit like a ladder. You can use one level to help you gain entry to a higher level of study in the future depending on your results and the rules of the institution to which you wish to gain entry. This progression is called articulation.

Table 2 provides information about the length, content (theoretical or practical), and competitiveness for qualifications that are available to Year 12 graduates.

 

Table 2. Features of different qualifications on the AQF

(Updated from What level of further study do I need? Education Queensland, 2004)

 

To decide on the best

(Updated from What level of further study do I need? Education Queensland, 2004)

 

To decide on the best level of qualification for you, consider:

• the study/training requirements of your occupational goal
  • your previous study results
  • whether you are a hands on or theory person
  • the cost of the course
  • the length of time you are prepared to study/train.

3. Financial considerations

Further study is expensive. The costs include:

• accommodation if living away from home – on campus (residential college - $7 000-$16 000 per year) or off campus (boarding, share accommodation - $100-$300 per week)
• living expenses (food, clothes, personal requirements, etc) – approximately $60-$100 per week
• telephone – approximately $50 per week
• study expenses (text books, photocopying, computer, stationery, etc – around $300- $500 per semester)
• travel expenses (public transport, car)
• course fees (full fee, Commonwealth supported).

(Costs have been taken from the 2008 QTAC Guide)

Financial assistance

Commonwealth supported places

• The Commonwealth Government subsidises a number of higher education places (previously these were called HECS places). This means that students who gain a Commonwealth supported place at a university do not pay the full cost of their course. Students also have the option to either pay up front (20% discount) or defer payment of their subsidised place until they are earning a specific income ($39,825 for the 2007-08 financial year). In the QTAC Guide these places are identified by the abbreviation ‘csp’.

 

• Higher education providers can set their own student contribution amounts, so course costs may vary between different higher education providers (see Section 1 of the QTAC Guide for this information).

 

• Students now have a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE) to allow them access to a Commonwealth supported place for 7 years of equivalent full-time study.

 

• Each Commonwealth supported student receives a Commonwealth Higher Education Student Support Number (CHESSN) by their education provider. This can be used to access information about their debt.

 

• HECS loans are now called HECS-HELP loans. These include HECS-HELP (Commonwealth supported place), FEE-HELP (for eligible full fee paying students) and OS-HELP (for eligible students to undertake overseas study).

 

• Eligible Commonwealth supported students can access a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship.

 

Find out more on the following website.

www.goingtouni.gov.au/Home.htm

 

Other financial assistance

Go to the following website for information on financial support for students (Youth allowance, etc).

http://thesource.gov.au (Go to: find/money/money for study)

 

Scholarships

The following links provide information on scholarships.

 

Commonwealth Learning Scholarships

www.goingtouni.gov.au/Home.htm (Go to: Fees, loans and scholarships/undergraduate)

 

myfuture scholarship list

www.myfuture.edu.au (Go to: The facts/Funding/Awards and Scholarships)

 

4. Employment opportunities

Attempting to accurately predict future labour demands is a complex task. One way of identifying future opportunities is to examine labour market trends (McCowan & McKenzie, 2000, p. 29). The following websites provide labour market trend information.

 

Occupations with good employment prospects

Job Outlook

http://jobsearch.gov.au/JobOutlook/default.aspx?
pageId=GoodProspects&WHCode=2&TextOnly=0

 

Occupations with skill shortages

Job Outlook

http://jobsearch.gov.au/JobOutlook/default.aspx?
pageId=Shortages&WHCode=2&TextOnly=0

 

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ Australian Jobs 2007

http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/Jobseeker/Careers/AustralianJobs.htm

 

Graduate Destination Surveyhttp://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/Jobseeker/Careers/AustralianJobs.htm

www.gradlink.edu.au

(Go to: What job for you/Statistics: GradsOnline)

Employment

Steps to take when looking for a job

• Know about you
• Write your resume
• Identify employers
• Investigate employers
• Complete an application
• Attend an interview
• Review

1. Know about you

There are a few things you need to know about yourself before you start looking for a job.

What sort of work do you want?

• Do you want to work in a particular industry e.g. hospitality, construction?
• Do you want full-time, part-time, casual or contract work? Or do you want a combination of these?
• Write a list of the types of jobs you would like to apply for. Use the following websites to help you come up with ideas.

www.myfuture.edu.au

www.jobguide.dest.gov.au

What are your skills and abilities?

• If you are going to promote yourself to an employer you must know what you can do and how well you do it.
• Write a list. Ask people who know you to help.
• Most employers look for these skills and attitudes:
  • communication skills
  • team skills
  • initiative
  • problem-solving skills
  • cooperation
  • enthusiasm
  • planning skills
  • work related skills.
• Beside each skill in your list, write down an example of when you actually used the skill.
• Who knows about the skills you have? Would these people write you a reference? Or be your referee? Ask them.
• A reference is a written document that you can include with your job application. It can be used to back-up items in your resume (e.g., skills, work experience).
• A referee is someone who is prepared to talk to an employer on your behalf.

2. Write your resume

• Your resume should be short (2 or 3 pages only).
• It should catch the attention of the employer (no errors or stains!).
• Include:
  • contact information
  • education and qualifications
  • other skills
  • work history (even if unpaid)
  • hobbies and interests (especially if related to the job)
  • personal characteristics (these should be supported by your references)
  • the names of people who have agreed to be your referee.
• The following websites have information about writing resumes.

 

www.myfuture.edu.au/articles/redirect.asp?articleID=90&Location=Home%20%5C%20The%20Facts%20%5C%20Work%20and%20Employment%20%5C%20Get%20that%20Job&PageNumber=1

 

www.seek.com.au/if.asp?loc=edctr (Go to: Job search strategies)

 

http://specialistportals.dewr.gov.au/jobjuice/ (Go to: Resume builder)

 

3. Identify employers

There are several places where you can find out about employers who are looking for workers. These include:

• Centrelink
• Newspapers e.g., the career section in the Saturday Courier Mail
• The Internet e.g.,
  • www.workplace.gov.au
  • www.careerone.com.au
  • www.seek.com.au
  • www.myfuture.edu.au
• Group training companies

http://grouptraining.ntis.gov.au/

• New Apprenticeships Centres

www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/

• Community noticeboards
• Trade and professional associations
• Your social network including your extended family, friends, neighbours, etc.
• Previous employers (e.g., from work experience or part-time work).

Don’t be afraid to approach employers who have not advertised a vacancy. It is claimed that up to 70% of jobs are obtained through contacts.

 

4. Investigate employers

Once you have identified several employers, find out as much as possible about them - things like:

• What does the business do?
• Does it have a website?
• How many staff do they employ?
• What positions might they have available?
• What would you do if you worked for them?
• Do they have a training program?
• Could this employer help you meet your career goals?
• If a vacancy has been advertised, what is the due date?
• Do you apply by letter, application form or online?
• Who would be the best person in the organisation to speak to if you want more information about an advertised job or about a possible job that has not been advertised?

This research is important. It will help you identify the employers you most want to work for.

 

5. Complete an application

• Employers usually use the application to help them select the people they want to interview. Therefore your application must impress the employer.
• Find out about the type of application that is required. Do you send a letter, fill in an application form, write answers to questions about your skills, or apply online?
• Imagine you are the person who has to sort through the applications. Because you have done the above investigation, you know what sort of workers the employer wants. So, what would you be looking for in an applicant? How would you want the application presented?
• Show your family, friends, teachers or guidance officer your completed application. Listen to their suggestions and make changes if necessary.

6. Attend an interview

• Congratulations! You have an interview. Now you need to prepare for it.
• Find out what will happen in the interview. Will you be expected to do any tests or will you be asked questions? Ask the employer.
• Brainstorm possible interview questions and write down your answers to them. Check your answers with your family and friends or career counsellor.
• Ask a friend to help you with a practice interview. Ask them for feedback.
• Look in the mirror. Would you impress an employer? Your personal presentation at the interview is important. Wear clean, appropriate clothing. Look eager, smile, be friendly.

The following website has a virtual interviewer which you can use to practice your interview skills.

 

www.seek.com.au/if.asp?loc=edctr (Go to: Interview Wizard)

 

7. Review

It is a good idea to review every unsuccessful application. Some employers are prepared to tell you why you didn’t get the job. Take this information seriously. It could lead to success next time.

Best of luck with your job search!

Combinations of study/training and employment

There are a number of types of jobs where you can learn on-the-job as well as undertake formal, nationally accredited training. These include:

• Apprenticeships
• Traineeships
• Cadetships
• Defence Force jobs.

Use the following websites to find out more about these options.

 

www.getatrade.gov.au/

 

Department of Employment and Training

www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au/index.html

(Select: Apprenticeships and traineeships)

 

http://www.gtaltd.com.au/

Defence Force Recruiting

www.defencejobs.go v.au/

Gap year

Some students choose to have a break from formal study the year following the completion of Year 12. Over the last few years this has become known as a ‘Gap year’.

There are many activities you can participate in during a Gap year. These include:

• Travelling
• Employment
• A traineeship
• An overseas exchange
• Volunteering
• A short course.

The following websites are for a selection of organisations that arrange trips/work/activities for young people wishing to do something different during their gap year.

 

Antipodeans Abroad – www.antipodeans.com.au

 

 

www.tutorsworldwide.org/

 

 

Camp America – www.campamerica.com.au

 

 

Career training USA www.interexchange.org

 

 

Gap Go Abroad Programs

www.goabroadprograms.com/gap/

 

 

Lattitude Global Volunteering

www.lattitude.org.au/

 

www.letzlive.org/

 

 

International Exchange Programs www.iep-australia.com

 

 

STA Travel www.statravel.com.au

 

 

Overseas Working Holidays www.owh.com.au

 

 

Volunteering Australia www.volunteeringaustralia.org/

 

 

Green Corps

www.greencorps.com.au/

 

 

Ship for World Youth www.thesource.gov.au/swy/

 

 

Conservation Volunteers www.conservationvolunteers.com.au

 

You may wish to do a Google search for other organisations (use the search words ‘overseas exchange’).

 

The following is a checklist for information you should obtain from any volunteer organisation you may be considering.

Gap year checklist

If you’re planning on heading overseas to volunteer ask the organisation you contact these questions before you decide:

1. Will you be given a defined role and purpose?

2. Will you meet face to face with your provider and attend a selection day to assess your suitability for the volunteering opportunities and gain detailed information about the structure of your placement?

3. How much will it cost and what does this pay for?

4. How will you be supported with training and personal development needs before, during and after your placement?

5. Is the work you do linked to long-term community partnerships that have a lasting impact? And how do volunteers work in partnership with the local community?

6. Does the organisation you are going with have established offices overseas that work in partnership with local people?

7. Can your organisation guarantee you 24 hour a day health, safety and security assistance?

8. Does the organisation have a commitment to diversity amongst its volunteers?

9. How does the organisation encourage long-term awareness of real development issues?

10. How will your work be monitored and evaluated so that others can build on what you have done?

( from www.vso.org.uk/news/pressreleases/ditch-unworthy-causes.asp)

 

Whatever you choose to do, you need to consider whether to apply for a tertiary course at the end of Year 12, and if you gain a place, apply for a deferment for one year.

 

What is deferment?

In the narrow sense of a guaranteed deferment, you are first offered a place in a course by the tertiary institution. You then accept the offer but ask that the place in the course be reserved until one year later. The institution then guarantees that you can begin the course the next year.

Some institutions do not offer guaranteed deferment. Each university and college makes its own policy on granting guaranteed deferment. These policies can be found in course handbooks, entry rules, in the QTAC Guide, and on the QTAC website at

http://www.qtac.edu.au/InfoSheets/Deferment.html

 

Reasons for deferring

It is reasonable to consider deferring when you:

• cannot afford to study and need the income from employment
• need a year off from study either for the break, for the chance to travel, to recover from illness, to undertake an international exchange or to obtain a broader outlook and gain maturity
• have doubts about your chosen career.

If you are not sure of your chosen career, it is difficult to choose a course, and once you have started a course it may be difficult to keep up your motivation. If, during the course, you decide on a career aim that is quite different from the course you are studying, then it will be even more difficult to remain keen and to keep up the necessary study. Your grades are then likely to suffer, and this could affect your chances of gaining entry to your preferred course.

Reasons against deferring

Some disadvantages of deferring are:

• if the course follows on directly from subjects you have studied at school, then you may have forgotten certain content in the meantime
• the eventual completion date for the course will depend on the length of your deferment
• courses change – the course you want may not be offered in the future
• if it’s not guaranteed deferment, you may miss out on a place in the course at a later date.

The OP or QTAC selection rank necessary to gain entry into a course can rise, fall or stay the same from one year to the next. Although you are able to gain entry to a course this year with your OP or rank, there is no guarantee this will be possible in the future (unless you have arranged guaranteed deferment).

How to decide

If you are unsure about deferring, first consider the reasons for and against very carefully; weigh up the advantages and disadvantages as they apply to you. Consider also the following questions.

• Is it a course for which you can get a guaranteed deferment?
• If you do not have guaranteed deferment, how risky is it? For example, how far above the cut-off OP or rank (over the last few years) is your result? If your result is well above previous cut-offs, then the risk of missing out on a place in the future is lower.
• Are there alternatives to deferment? Is there a ‘generalist’ type course that you can take to keep a number of career options open?
• Are you able to commence the course now and take a year off or ‘leave of absence’ from the course at a later date (e.g. semester two of the course)?

Finally, discuss all these factors with someone who is able to help you – your parents, career counsellor, teachers, or a counsellor from a tertiary institution.

The information about deferment on this page has been updated and adapted from Deferring tertiary study, Education Queensland, 2004.

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