Choosing the right courses in Years 11 and 12 is a tough decision. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to figure out the best path, especially with the pressure to make the “right” choice.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered to school students (VDSS) is a great solution. Instead of leaving school to start a trade or sticking to an academic path for VCE, VDSS offers the best of both worlds. You can work towards an industry qualification while staying in school and keeping your options open.

AGA, a leading traineeship and apprenticeship company, offers VDSS programs that help students explore potential career paths. AGA’s VDSS coordinator, Melissa Vella, is passionate about the benefits of the program. She connects with local schools to bring trade opportunities to students through Try a Trade days and career expos.

Melissa noticed a gap where Year 10 students often don’t get to try out different trades before having to make big decisions. “Some Year 10 students have never had the chance to try a trade before choosing their path for Years 11 and 12,” she said.

This inspired Melissa to team up with Maria Cox, the Brimbank Melton Jobs, Skills & Pathways Manager, to create the Year 10 Multi-Industry Pathway Program.

Over six months or two school terms, students in this program learn the basics of various industries, like automotive, building and construction, electrical, and plumbing. This means students can gain credit towards a VCE/VM while exploring their vocational options in Year 10. “Our goal is to empower students to make well-informed decisions about their future careers before they commit to a specific VCE track, full qualification, or apprenticeship,” Melissa said.

Bevan Troia, a student from Taylors Lakes Secondary College, completed the program in Term One and Two of 2024. He says he feels more confident about his career choices now and plans to complete Year 11 and 12 before pursuing an apprenticeship in building and construction. Bevan enjoys his visits to AGA’s trades training facility and recommends the program to others. “If you don’t know what you want to do in school, I’d suggest coming here and trying out the four main trades,” he said.

AGA continues to offer a range of programs that provide young Victorians like Bevan with the opportunity to explore potential careers in trades. Along with supporting apprentices who have decided to start their full-time qualification, AGA facilitates pathways that align with the skills and interests of young people.

In addition to the Multi-Industry Pathway Program, AGA’s Transition to Work program helps young people develop essential skills, connect with services, and find local job opportunities. Choosing VDSS not only meets school requirements and improves the likelihood of achieving a high VCE score but also provides hands-on experience, recognised qualifications or credits‌ and, pathways to further education, traineeships‌ and, apprenticeship careers in Australia. Plus, it gives students extra time to figure out their future path.

Melissa shared that although the abundance of choices might seem overwhelming, it is an exciting time for students to explore and find what works for them. “It’s common for young people to feel anxious with so many opportunities ahead of them, but there are ample chances to experiment and many people ready to support you as you navigate your path,” she said.

The program’s latest round had perfect attendance. Melissa believes its success comes from making learning engaging and practical. “The trainers know it’s important to make the program interesting and show students what their first year in a trade would be like,” she said.

Overall, the program lets students explore different options and reduces the pressure, making the learning experience more enjoyable as they carve out their own paths towards fulfilling careers through apprenticeship careers in Australia.

Pictured from L to R: Alan Pump (Trainer and Assessor), Bevan Troia and Melissa Vella (VDSS Coordinator)