School to Work Program.
Damodara Pandit dasa: This year the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gurukula (Hare Krishna School in Australia) began a Careers Program for the Year 9 students. The program aims to provide direction and focus for senior students as they begin the transition from school to work. During term 4, 2015 the year 9 students had three lessons which introduced basic vocational foundations. Students were involved in discussions and presentations about the various types of vocations. The aim was to introduce a balanced vision for the students which combined spiritual wisdom with the dharmic and practical outlook needed for transitioning into responsible adult life. We had a few exemplary members of the community visit the class and present their own work-life / careers. All students completed an online vocational inventory or careers test. The results of these tests provide a basic understanding of the types of vocation students may be inclined towards. After completing the test all students had a personal consultation with our careers adviser about their personal direction. This information is compiled for future reference and follows up when choosing vocational educational training (VET) courses, work experience and academic pathways. The students were also guided in developing their own personal resumes. These resumes can be used by the students if they wish to seek holiday or after school work and will be expanded as students develop more skills and experience. The year 9 class also had a careers excursion where they visited the Kingscliff TAFE. The students had a personalised tour of the TAFE during their annual open day on November 19, 2015. Especially notable was the talks in the construction workshop, the motor mechanical workshop and the IT/design classroom. The partnership with the TAFE opens a number of VET and careers options for our students. Design workshop at Kingscliff TAFE. More here: http://www.krishnaschool.org/