SA school career guidance to be modernised

South Australian students will check out their future career options with online games and take virtual visits to businesses in a $20 million plan to modernise guidance.

Career guidance for students in government schools will be improved and modernised through a $20m Education Department strategy.

Reports to parents on their child’s career prospects, a game-based program for secondary students to explore employment options and an online questionnaire for year 9s are among the strategy’s measures.

An Education Department spokesman said that until now, the careers system had “varied widely” across public schools.

“The new Career Education Strategy will give all government secondary students access to high-quality career advice and support,” he said.

Henley High school students Anthony Psarakis and Olivia Henshaw are taking vocational education courses as a stepping stone to their chosen careers. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The department will establish a “professional career service” likely to feature central staff and contractors.

Education Minister John Gardner said the strategy would help students make high school choices in harmony with their career aspirations.

“Effective career education and guidance that inspires students to identify their interests and strengths delivers better employment and further education outcomes for school leavers,” he said.

“This new $20m Career Education Strategy will mean young people are prepared to take on the challenges of tomorrow and pave the pathway for future success.”

Education Minister John Gardner says the new system will put students on the right pathway. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Gardner said the strategy complemented a Flexible Industry Pathways initiative, which guides students to take vocational education courses at school in line with 26 economic growth sectors.

They include aged care, childcare, building and construction, agriculture, horticulture, and screen and media production.

The $20m careers strategy will be funded through the department’s existing budget. Under the plan, government-run website Student Pathways will be expanded.

It will offer students virtual tours of businesses and industries, and provide webinars and information sessions.

“We are making it easier than ever before for industry and employers to connect with schools,” Mr Gardner said.

A questionnaire tool for year 9s will be introduced into classrooms from 2023, exploring students’ aptitudes, personality, preferences and learning styles. Reports to parents on career discussions will be added to regular updates on a student’s academic progress.

Henley High year 11 student Olivia Henshaw, 16, who hopes to become a primary school teacher, said starting to look at careers earlier in high school would be useful for many students. “I have a possible traineeship this year which is an amazing opportunity,” she said.