Education
The KIC Education Development Program is about showing high school students in the region the sorts of careers that are available in industry, and working with them in a practical sense how they might aspire to these sorts of careers.
High School Student Industry Education
KIC Education Partnership
Women's Networking Forum
Connecting Education with Industry
Over the past two decades, KIC has been actively involved in connecting education with industry, prompted by the realisation that the local community was not necessarily making the most of the benefits of industrial development. Conversely, industry was not able to effectively use the local population as a source of workers.
In 1995, the KIC Excellence in Education Compact was launched, with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between KIC and its industry members, senior high school representatives TAFE. It was a designed to be a vehicle for fostering high community engagement between community and industry, while at the same time bringing a number of benefits to the community.
The Compact was called Kwinana Industries Education Partnership, or KIEP.
KIEP enabled students from high schools neighbouring the KIA to consider a transition into the industrial workforce and also to related higher education courses. Over time, it became regularly sought after as a source of information by other vocational education providers, with other organisations considering it a benchmark in developing similar programs.
In 2009, KIEP was wound up, and KIC took on the role of delivering the programs directly, and from there the KIC Education Development Program began to expand to what it is today, a multi level series of courses aimed at Year 9 through to Year 12 students, with around 250 passing through the various courses each year.
KIC runs these courses for the 17 high schools in the region with input from the school principals and Vocational Education Training (VET) coordinators via a formal partnership.
The aim of the program is to awaken an aspiration for careers in industry, in both trades and professional streams. The program has won many awards for the outcomes it has achieved and the way in which the courses are structured.
High School Student Industry Education
Our Philosophy
The Kwinana Industrial Area is the home to many large industrial companies, and are responsible for the employment of around 30,000 workers, direct and indirect. Two thirds of these live within 15 kms of their workplace. The communities surrounding the industrial area are deeply connected to industry, and have been since the first refinery was built around 60 years ago.
Generations of workers have from these communities have been a part of the neighbouring industrial area, yet there is high youth unemployment and a surprisingly extensive low comprehension of the huge range of careers industry offers.
The KIC Education Development Program (EDP) was created to improve this understanding, and to create pathways for the students in the region’s high schools to enter the industrial workforce.
The pathways needed to be practical for the students, connected to actual industry operations, and accessible for motivated students. They are achieving terrific outcomes for students, and are roundly hailed as being world class in their design content and outcomes.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all your colleagues at KIC for giving Meg this opportunity. So far she has thoroughly enjoyed the experience and she still has 3 days left! Kind regards.”
June Marshall
(Parent of 2014 iWOMEN student Megan Marshall)
Education Development Program (EDP)
This video has been produced to showcase the Education Development Programs that KIC has developed for local students in the KIC Education Partnership.
Aims, Purpose, Why
The Kwinana Industries Council (KIC) Education Development Program was built on the success of its award winning KIC Metals & Engineering School Based Traineeship located at Gilmore College.
The individual programs were developed in partnership with local high schools in an effort to introduce students to the careers in Kwinana’s business sector and to give them practical exposure in the Kwinana Industrial Area (KIA). The programs offered through the partnership provide initiatives to help students identify opportunities for work placement in the KIA. KIC members have the potential to attract local youth to careers in local industry and to help raise their aspirations towards career pathways.
Vocational Education & Training (VET) Pathways
These are a range of activities that relate to ways in which Year 11 and Year 12 students gain ongoing practical work experience in industry. Practical experience in the workplace teaches students about what it means to be a worker in terms of what is expected of them and what they can expect of the host employer. It is a great way for students to move across into a job when they are ready to do so.
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
School Based Traineeships (SBTs) are Certificate II and III programs approved by industry to kick-start your career. The programs give school students, who are generally at least 15 years of age, the opportunity to start a traineeship as part of their school studies.
As a student in one of these SBT programs, you will go to school and, with the school’s approval, you and a guardian (if you are under 18) will sign a training contract with an employer in your chosen industry. This gives you the same employment and training conditions and responsibilities as other apprentices/trainees. The employer will pay you for the time you spend at work. You will do some of your training at a TAFE or a private training provider, and some at work. You may complete your traineeship while at school. Work experience can be done a one day a week or in blocks of weeks (depending on the SBT Program requirements).
Source: Government of Western Australia, Dept of Training and Workforce Development.
Individual Courses
Metals & Engineering:
Students are enrolled full time at Gilmore College, receive training one day per week at South Metropolitan TAFE, and spend blocks of time in work placements. On successful completion of Year 12 and the apprenticeship program, successful trainees will receive their WACE and a Traineeship Certificate II in Engineering. Trainees will be ‘work-ready’ and this will reduce the time needed to complete an Apprenticeship in an associated industry.
Business:
Students are enrolled full time at one of the KIC Education Partnership schools and spend one day per week at a host employer. On successful completion of Year 12 and the apprenticeship program, Year 12 trainees will receive their WACE and a Certificate II or III in Business Studies/ Administration. We would like to thank the City of Kwinana who continue to host two Year 12 students each year from the KIC Education Partnership.
Heavy Diesel Plant Mechanic Pre-Apprenticeship:
This is a two year program and takes 15 students a year. Students are enrolled full time at one of the KIC Education Partnership schools, spend one day per week at South Metropolitan TAFE in Rockingham, and spend time in work placements. On successful completion of Year 12 and the apprenticeship program, students receive their WACE and a Certificate II in Engineering Plant Mechanic (heavy diesel) Pre-Apprenticeship. Trainees will be ‘work-ready’ and this will reduce the time needed to complete an Apprenticeship in an associated industry.
KIC iProjects
As part of KIC’s Education Development Program, a range of iProjects have been developed which provide an opportunity for students to further explore what career pathways may be available in the Kwinana Industrial Area. All iProjects include visits to industry.
In June 2018, the iWOMEN, iMEN and iSCIENCE iProjects were endorsed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). Successful completion of one of the KIC iProjects and attendance at the annual iCONFERENCE (a total of 55 hours) will provide the equivalent of 1 unit and 1 C grade towards the WACE completion requirements and will be reported on the student’s WA Statement of Student Achievement that is issued at the end of Year 12.
iWOMEN: Year 10 (female students)
The purpose of this project is to expose students to the numerous career opportunities in industry, to get an insight into what industry does, and what industry expects of employees.
This is acheived through industry excursions and meeting people employed in industry. In addition to the excursions, students actively participate in workshop sessions, which cover resume writing, mock interviews and other activities, to give them the confidence to realise their full potential. Students graduate at the end of the program.
iMEN: Year 10 (male students)
This project allows students to gain an understanding of the career opportunities in industry, to get an insight into what industry does, and what industry expects of employees.
Students participate in industry excursions and meet people employed in industry. In addition to the excursions, students actively participate in workshop sessions, which cover resume writing, mock interviews and other activities, to give students the confidence to realise their full potential. Students graduate at the end of the program.
iDIVERSITY: Year 10 (male and female students from the Education Support Centres)
The purpose of this project is to expose students with special learning needs to the array of career opportunities in industry, to get an insight into what industry does, and what industry expects of employees.
This is done through industry excursions and meeting people employed in industry. In addition to the excursions, students actively participate in workshop sessions, which include resume writing, mock interviews and other activities, to give students the confidence to realise their full potential. This project also includes one day work experience at a host employer. Students graduate at the end of the program.
iSCIENCE: Year 10 (male and female students)
The iSCIENCE project is for Year 10 students intending to follow ATAR bound Science, Math and Technology subjects during Years 11 and 12 and who may be considering University at the end of Year 12.
This Project involves industry excursions and meeting people employed in industry. In addition to the excursions, students experience hands-on science activities including a visit to the Murdoch University South Street campus. Students actively participate in workshop sessions, which include resume writing and other activities, to give them the confidence to help them realise their full potential. Students graduate at the end of the program.
iTEACHER
This project gives teachers from the KIC Education Partnership schools an opportunity to go into industry and shadow a specialist employee to gain valuable industry knowledge. This experience will fulfil industry relevance competency requirements for the teachers and bring their lessons to life back in the classroom. This project has facilitated a teacher into the medical area of a KIC member company. This was part of her First Aid Trainer re accreditation process.
iCAREER / Bright Sparx: Year 9 (male and female students)
The Bright Sparx Club is one program of the iCAREER Project. It is a partnership initiative between Kwinana Industries Council and Murdoch University. The program is for Year 9 students in Term 2 and Term 4 each year. It is an after School Club held on Thursdays, from 3.45pm – 5.30pm at Naragebup, Rockingham Regional Environment Centre.
The program provides students the opportunity to raise their confidence and aspirations while building their awareness of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) careers. Students participate in a range of STEM based activities including a site visit to an industry site n the Kwinana Industrial Area and an excursion to Murdoch University.
KIC organises and facilitates the program of weekly activities which are then run by Murdoch University representatives.
Awards
Awards 2018
Won the Australia & Oceania region of the 2018 Global Best Awards, in the following categories:
- Innovative and Creative Partnerships
- Youth Employability Skills
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM)
KIC was awarded the Innovative and Creative Partnerships best out of all seven of the regions. at the Conference in Houston, held in October.
Awards 2016
In 2016 the KIC Education Development Program won a number of awards:
- Global Best Awards 2016
- Australia Gold Winner for Innovative and Creative Partnerships
- Australia Gold Winner for Youth Employability Skills
- Overall Global Thematic Winner for Youth Employability Skills
- WA Training Awards
- Winner – Industry Collaboration Award
- Australian Training Awards
- Finalist – Industry Collaboration Award
Gender Diversity Focus
KIC Introduction to Careers in Industry (for females) |
Certificate II in Engineering Pre-Apprenticeship
MEM20105
he KIC Introduction to Careers in Industry (for females) is an initiative of the Kwinana Industries Council.
It is a two year program which students complete during Year 11 and 12 alongside their school studies. The program intake is 16 students (max) per year.
The program is designed around industry’s desire to get more females into industry through greater gender diversity programs. The content gives students exposure to a range of apprenticeship pathways into industry.
Students remain enrolled full time at their current school, receive training one day a week (Fridays) at South Metropolitan TAFE (Rockingham Campus) and spend time in work placements.
Mentor Support:
During the program, students will have a mentor who currently works in industry. The mentor will align the students work experience with their current area of TAFE study and offer ongoing career support to the student.
The program is designed around industry’s desire to get more females into industry through greater gender diversity programs. The content gives students exposure to a range of apprenticeship pathways into industry.
Overview
The KIC Education Partnership was established to build and strengthen relationships, implement projects and improve the connection between Kwinana industries and regional education providers. .
To consolidate the Partnership, a Certificate of Commitment was signed in September 2011 between KIC and the local high schools, both public and private. In 2014 the schools reconfirmed their agreement to the Partnership and resigned the Certificate of Commitment. The Certificate acknowledges the involvement and the roles industry and education providers play in building the capability of our students, who will eventually take their place in the workforce.
The Principals of the participating high schools meet twice per term and the VET Coordinators meet once a term. Progress of the Partnership is monitored and direction and priorities are set for coming events. These educational leaders share and exchange ideas and initiatives to continue the excellence in the collegial relationship that exists for the betterment of local students and the industries within the KIC.
Partnering High Schools
The KIC Education Partnership is a partnership between industry and 17 secondary schools in the region. For information about these schools please click the links below.
Women’s Networking Forum
The Women’s Networking Forum continues to be held twice a year and is an informative and great networking system aimed primarily at women working in the KIA. Over the last 12 months we have welcomed men from industry to the Forums, and this has proven to be a positive move. We look forward to more men attending the Forums in the future.
Contact Us
PO Box 649
Kwinana WA 6966
Tel: (08) 9419 1855
Email: admin@kic.org.au
