Central Grampians LLEN facilitates and supports local partnerships that create opportunities for young people to actively participate in education, training, employment and connect with their community. Our Partnerships and Pathways Coordinator works closely with schools and industry to provide work placements and work-based learning opportunities for local students. We also offer a selection of School Industry Engagement events and activities that expose secondary students to a range of different industries, workplaces, employers and career opportunities. Our current offerings include:

School-Industry Engagement Sessions

School-Industry Engagement Sessions are designed to provide students with insights into industries they may otherwise have limited exposure to. In collaboration with teachers, our Partnerships and Pathways Coordinator tailors each session to meet the specific career interests of the students attending. Relevant employers and industry representatives are invited to come into the classroom and talk to groups of students about their job pathways. They provide information on career opportunities in their industries and discuss what employers look for in future employees.

At the conclusion of each School-Industry Engagement Session, students are updated on any workplace learning opportunities currently available locally in that industry. They also have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters.

Workplace Industry Tours

Workplace Industry Tours allow students to build on their knowledge, skills and understanding of work through exposure to a workplace in action. The tours can help young people make sense of what they are learning in the classroom and broaden their knowledge of how this relates to future job prospects. Engaging with local industries and their employees exposes students to real life experiences and networking opportunities. By hosting an industry tour in the workplace, employers build stronger links with local schools and enhance future workforce options by showcasing roles that currently exist and addressing career pathway options.

Our current industry focus areas include*:

• Building and Construction
• Health and Community Services
• Agriculture and Environment
• Hospitality
• Renewable Energy

* Schools may also request individual industry tours of interest to students.

Industry Practice Interviews

Students have the opportunity to use Industry Practice Interviews to prepare for real-life job interviews. The mock interviews allow students to present their portfolios and resumes, and answer general interview questions from a small panel of CGLLEN staff members and industry representatives. This process helps the young people get comfortable with promoting themselves and their relevant knowledge, abilities, qualifications and workforce experiences. Following their practice interviews, all students are provided with individual feedback to help them further develop their interview and communication skills.

Careers Quick Chat

Careers Quick Chat brings industry professionals and secondary students together at local schools for unique networking opportunities. Students are given five minutes with each employer to talk about careers and pathways, job roles, qualifications and employment opportunities. The initiative aims to help students gain an insight into a range of occupations and increase their knowledge of pathway options and career progression. Careers Quick Chat also broadens the young people’s scope for school subject selection and higher education and exposed them to job opportunities that are available locally and abroad.

VIC VICE

VIC VICE is a brand-new virtual reality platform that features 360-degree video and video-game style simulations. This cutting-edge technology allows students to experience different workplaces in a fully immersive, interactive and multi-sensory way.

Central Grampians LLEN is responsible for the delivery of VIC VICE in Ararat, Stawell and Lake Bolac, providing a more accessible alternative to traditional workplace learning experiences.