Youth Career Centre

Young people are our region's most important resource and WORKCO Limited recognises this by delivering several programs through our Youth Career Centre (YCC) which specifically target youth and the issues they face regarding careers and employment

School Liaison Officer

The role of the School Liaison Officer is to act as a link between the various departments at WORKCO Limited and deliver the current YCC programs to the 18 secondary schools across the region. Having this role provides the schools with one key contact person at WORKCO Limited, avoiding confusion for both staff and students.

The School Liaison Officer provides schools, staff and students with up to date information and promotes the services of WORKCO Limited. This role also coordinates visits by different departments into the schools, reducing the number of visits and reducing unnecessary disruption to school timetables.

The School Liaison Office acts as a representative of WORKCO on various youth focussed committees across the region, including the Wimmera RYAN, Grampians Youth Network, St Arnaud Youth Network, WASM Careers Association, MIPS network and the Youth Options Guarantee.

Career Connect

The transition from school to work has always been a difficult time for young people.

The staff at the WORKCO Youth Career Centre are aware of the issues faced by school leavers in choosing a career, deciding whether to go on to tertiary studies or enter the work force.  Career Connect is not a career counselling service but a program aimed at helping young people make a successful transition from their secondary schooling into employment or training.

Students need all the information and assistance available to them to make these crucial decisions which will impact on their future employment options. Our staff aim to complement assistance that schools are providing for young people still attending school or up to 12 months after leaving school. It aims to give young people, aged 16-19, the skills and resources required to make a smooth transition from school into the work force. Staff are able to assist young people, including those who wish to defer from university, into general employment or Australian Apprenticeships. This support includes career advice, assistance with resumes and job applications, interview preparation, understanding the new apprenticeship system and helping make sense of the local job market.

We provide a job matching service to our clients, to encourage them to apply for WORKCO vacancies. By building a positive rapport with these young people, we are able to make recommendations of suitable candidates.

WORKCO staff make regular visits to all schools in our region. If you are trying to make that career choice or are looking for other assistance with employment or further education and training, chat to your careers teacher who will make arrangements to access our service. Our office is located at 144 Firebrace St, Horsham, call in for a chat or telephone us on (03) 5381 6200.

Schools visited by the WorkCo Youth Career Centre:

• Dimboola Memorial Secondary College
• Balmoral High School
• Donald High School
• Edenhope P-12 College
• Goroke P-12 College
• Horsham College
• St Brigid's College
• Kaniva Secondary College
• Marian College
• Murtoa College
• Nhill P-12 College
• Rainbow Secondary College
• St Arnaud Secondary College
• Stawell Secondary College
• Warracknabeal Secondary College
• Ararat Community College
• Birchip P-12 College
• Hopetoun Secondary College

Managed Individual Pathways

Managed Individual Pathways is a state government initiative to assist young people aged between 15 to 19 to develop pathways to achieving their career goals. The MIP's initiative was driven by the Kirby Report in 2000. The WORKCO Youth Career Centre is locally staffed with specialist Youth Career Counsellors, who will assist students to map their own pathways for the future. This is conducted in a holistic approach considering all facets of the young person's life to assess barriers, opportunities, skills and resources.

All information obtained is fully confidential and is only seen by the career counsellor, with written permission being obtained for release of appropriate information. Our career counsellors perform the following tasks: initial assessments, group information sessions and individual follow up, case management and development of a pathway plan.

WORKCO Youth Career Centre supply fee for service initial assessments and case management for schools.

Initial Assessments
The initial assessment is held to determine the level(s) of support that can be offered to the student. We believe that all students, as determined by the school, should have access to this initial assessment phase.

The main task of the initial assessment is to identify and define issues and needs of the student, and the levels of support that can be offered in conjunction with the school.

Ongoing Case Management
This plan is to be used where a student is assessed as being disengaged from school. The student may have high needs and issues, and/or not fitting the requirements of Youth Pathways.

The activities within the Ongoing Case Management approach will consist of the:

• Individual case management - minimum monthly face to face interviews
• Development of a specific Transition Plan
• Career focussed aptitude testing
• Specific MIPs Database that tracks needs and contracts
• Monthly progress reports provided to the school
• Referral(s) to appropriate agencies
• Work experience assistance
• Priority access to WORKCO Youth Career Centre services after leaving school.

Casual Work Register

Young people looking to get a casual, after school job in the local community are encouraged to register their interest with the WORKCO Youth Career Centre. Our professional Youth Team can assist with a resume and general job searching skills and advice to help you secure that all important first job. When a casual work vacancy is listed with WORKCO, our staff will contact you to give you the option of applying.