What an exciting start to 2023 we have had so far! This year, we have over 53% of our senior students that have started vocational training at the College or through external providers and many more enrolments already prepared throughout the year ahead. We also have a range of other opportunities for our students to engage with their desired industries through work experience, placements, as well as a range of apprenticeship & traineeship opportunities. I've already been extremely impressed with the feedback I've received from our teachers and our external partners about our students, and I look forward to hearing more success stories of our students throughout the year.

Thank you to all Year 10 students that have submitted their preferences for their upcoming Work Experience in Term 2. Mrs George has already started work on placing students with our business partners across the large variety of workplaces & industries that are available this year.

Mrs George has recently sent an email to students that are finding their own placements, and I recommend touching base with her about your placement. If any of our families & wider community work for a business that would be interested in hosting students for the work experience week (19-23 June 2023), please email VET@ripleyvalleyssc.eq.edu.au.

The College will be hosting it's annual Careers Expo on Thursday 8th June this year, combined with information sessions on our Junior & Senior Pathways for students & parents/carers. This forum is perfect for those keen to learn more about our Year 10-12 subjects. Invitations and further details will be available next term. We are still adding businesses to this Careers Expo so if you, your family, or friends have organisations that would be interested in hosting a free stall during the event, they can register to our Business Network via https://forms.office.com/r/dtV2yPCfUN

A number of opportunities are opening up from local businesses looking for students to join them across a number of industries. Students are encouraged to keep an eye on our website www.ripleyvalleystatesecondarycollegecareers.com for any positions that may currently be available or that may become available throughout the year. I'd also encourage students to make an appointment with Mrs George in the libary if they wish to discuss any opportunities of interest.

We are organising a number of other events for our students to attend this semester. These will help prepare them for work placements or their preferred industry pathways.

A list of events currently arranged are as follows with more to follow throughout the year:

If your student is interested in persuing one or more of the above, please encourage them to see Mrs George in the Careers Centre (Library). They can register their interest ahead of the circulation of permission notes.

All Year 10 & 11 students are encouraged to have, and supply, their USI to the College. These are used to record any vocational training completed at RVSSC, through external training providers such as TAFE, through apprenticeships & traineeships, and from universities.

In preparation for senior school, Year 9's are also encouraged to start getting their USI's.

If you're unsure how to obtain a USI, just head to www.usi.gov.au and complete the form. Top tip - you'll need a form of identification such as a birth certificate or medicare card to complete the quick online form.