A media release issued on Friday by the State Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships proclaims a positive initiative of the Government, headlined ‘Students Speed Date to Dream Jobs’. The Minister refers to the initiative as ‘speed careering’; helping students consider their career goals and maximise their employment opportunities. The Minister is quoted, “this is another example of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to creating real opportunities for indigenous high school students.”
Yet something very similar last Thursday (run for over 3 years) is considered by the State Government Director General of Education as being of no measurable value to state secondary school students. (I can’t identify what the current State Minister of Education opinion is, having decided there was better use of her time than meet with us to discuss the concept despite an arranged meeting). We call our initiative ‘Communication to Careers’ or ‘C2C’. Regular readers of this column know it involves connecting students with the local business community by short continuous conversations. Fortunately it appears the Treasurer doesn’t have roadblocks for Director General’s and common sense still persists in some corners of George Street to encourage speed careering.
33 local business people took time out to make a connection with 86 grade 10 students from St. Ursula’s last Thursday. In 3 minute intervals we heard their aspirations to be a forensic scientist, astronaut, physiotherapist, a maths teacher, even a wife and mother. Yes 15 year old girls do verbally share their dreams with over 30 year olds, strangers at that. From sharing some of themselves they gained personal insights the business representatives offered. Interview tips, ways to get work experience, their career and education paths; in the course of these conversations students enhanced both their communication skills and confidence. The 2 C’s (communication and confidence) that common sense say’s assist in applying for jobs. There are 2 C2C’s this month at The Cathedral College, July 20 and 21st. Students gain the greatest benefit from C2C (though I can’t measure it) with the greater number of business representatives attending, even a Director General or State Minister (we have tried twice to get a State Minister of Education to attend). We’d appreciate your help. For details visit www.ring.org.au/c2c.