Finding the right path to jobs after school

THE future of this year’s school leavers looks bright despite a high youth unemployment rate for Cairns.

Students Pajar Vue, Georgia Hunter and Harris Caddick-King speak with Mark Harlend (Head of Dept Teaching and Learning Yrs 1012) about future employment and studies. PICTURE: JUSTIN BRIERTY

THE future of this year’s school leavers looks bright despite a high youth unemployment rate for Cairns.

More than 2000 Year 12 students in Far North Queensland region schools are set to graduate in November, including 1055 in Cairns.

The Cairns Post 5000 Jobs in 50 Days campaign is exploring the issues faced by young jobseekers.

Cairns State High School years 10-12 teaching and learning department head Mark Harland said many students started their post-schooling career pathways while still at high school, through school-based traineeships, apprenticeships and certificate courses.

“I’m highly confident our students will find work, however a high percentage of Cairns High students will be going on to further tertiary studies in the career of their choice,” he said.

“Thorough career pathway planning processes occur throughout year 10 to 12, which help prepare students for life after school.”

Trinity Anglican School acting principal Margaret Kennedy said the majority of their students would go on to tertiary study, boosting their job prospects.

“There are a few students who have already teed up apprenticeship opportunities,” she said.

“I think some Year 12s, who are working on a casual basis now, will continue to do that until they start study next year.”

St Augustine’s College principal Brother Darren Burge said most students left the region to attend universities in capital cities.

Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt said recent government figures showed 40,000 jobs had been created since January last year.

Employment Minister Grace Grace said there was a “strong level of interest” from Cairns employers for the State Government’s $100 million for our Back to Work regional jobs package.

The program provides access to training and re-skilling opportunities for young jobseekers and supports regional jobs by giving eligible employers support payments of $10,000 for hiring an unemployed jobseeker. The figure rises to $15,000 for long-term unemployed.

APM Employment Services business manager Ulanda Cannon said if young people were motivated and prepared to work, there was often more opportunity than for mature-age jobseekers.

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Originally published as Finding the right path to jobs after school