LOCAL STUDENTS CAN ADD VALUE TO YOUR BUSINESS

Malaga businesses looking to take on young workers for one to two days a week should look no further than Ballajura Community College.
The college has more than 630 Vocational Education and Training (VET) students willing to take on roles in the workforce as part of their studies.
More than 120 of these students are participating in the college’s Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) program.
SWL students spend one day a week in the workforce while they complete their high school studies.
The work placement is a school subject and no payment is necessary from the employer.
Ballajura Community College SWL Coordinator, Cathy Hooper, said many businesses confused SWL with work experience.
“Work experience is voluntary and an opportunity for students to spend a week in a workplace,” she said.
“SWL is a legitimate Curriculum Council subject where the students are assessed and get a result at the end of the semester.”
Ms Hooper said another option to Malaga businesses was to take on a student undertaking a school-based traineeship.
School-based traineeships combine high school study with a TAFE certificate and two days paid work with an employer.
“Students undertaking school-based traineeships have the opportunity to graduate, achieve a TAFE certificate and get paid all in the same year,” Ms Hooper said.
Ms Hooper said the SWL and school-based traineeship programs would suit local businesses that needed junior employees, but did not have the time or could not afford a full-time apprentice.
There are 16 students currently involved in the school-based traineeship program this year.
Ballajura Community College has the highest percentage of VET students in the State.

Last year, Ballajura strengthened its reputation as one of the State’s most comprehensive and awarded VET programs.
The program received a SWL Certificate of Distinction from the Curriculum Council and an Excellence in VET Award by Westscheme.
More than 80 per cent of the college’s SWL students achieved grades above the State average.
For more information on SWL and school-based traineeships, contact Cathy Hooper on 0407 426 735 or cathy.hooper@det.wa.edu.au