The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to improving education for all Tasmanians, including extending career guidance from Kinder to Year 12 – as it needs to be.
The My Education program is a whole of school approach to career education that will develop the knowledge, skills and attributes that all students need to successfully plan and make good choices for their future.
Starting this process in Year 10 is simply too late. My Education ensures there is continual, age appropriate, planning embedded from the beginning to end of a student’s education, and formalises the positive role that teachers have always played.
My Education strengthens the current approach to career develop in schools and recognises that a whole-school approach integrated in the curriculum will better support our students into the future.
This comprehensive approach will include a range of resources and support for teachers, students and parents, and ensures we have a career and life planning tool that is fully aligned with the Australian curriculum.
An additional component that will support teachers will be based on-line. This is an additional support for teachers, parents and students, and will not take away from one on one interactions with students.
After a tender process to procure the right tool, a $2.1 million contract has been awarded to Kuder Visions Unlimited.
As a result of this contract, Kuder has placed staff in Tasmania to support the delivery of this system. No Tasmanian companies tendered for this contract.
Kuder, a virtual company with a team around the world including Australia, will localise the career planning tool to the Tasmanian environment to ensure that the data and information that are presented are done from a local view point.
The online career planning tool will help learners identify strengths, interests and help align these with potential career paths. The learner will also be presented with local job market data, to inform potential career opportunities.
Access to the online tool will begin next year for students in years 7 to 12, with teachers being provided access and training with the tool later this year.
Access to this system will be available for all students at the beginning of the school year in 2017.
Importantly, support for teachers to ensure transition plans are developed for all Year 10 students remains a priority for 2015. The Department’s Professional Learning Institute is continuing to provide specific training, professional learning and resource support for all Year 10 teachers this year. This is a continuation of training that commenced last year.
Regional My Education Managers will also continue to provide additional support to schools.
My Education is based on the best contemporary local and international research, which clearly shows that a Kinder to 12 approach to career development will give young people the very best chance at planning for the future and gaining a good job.
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