'Get SET' program sets out to keep young people in region
Published on 29 July, 2010
CQUniversity has created an initiative to keep high school leavers in the Wide Bay region, encouraging them to ignore the lure of the capital city.
The 'Get SET' program aims to prepare high school students for the world of work and tertiary study, in partnership with local businesses.
Year 12 Kepnock High School student Lisa Dinsey gets her foot in the door thanks to 'Get SET'
To find out more about the ‘Get SET' program contact CQUniversity Bundaberg on 4150 7041.
The program's initial objective is to align students with an employer and a university degree before they complete school. The students benefit from workplace experience during their final years of high school and have the chance to begin a university degree or traineeship while completing their senior school studies.
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'Get SET' also aims to improve career and employment prospects for young people by creating pathways that encourage them to stay and contribute to economic growth within the Bundaberg-Hervey Bay employment area.
This goal aligns with the 2010 Keep Australia Working, Regional Employment Plan for Bundaberg-Hervey Bay, which highlights that the region experiences a high outflow of young people who study and find work elsewhere, largely in south-east Queensland.
Margaret Flanders, a contact for CQUniversity's ‘Get SET' program explains that "the Wide-Bay Burnett is losing its young people - its potential new professionals - to other cities".
"With predictions that the region will have a skills shortage, this will affect professions and trades for an extended period of time," Mrs Flanders said.
"The 'Get SET' program has been developed by the Faculty of Arts, Business and Informatics and Education at CQUniversity Bundaberg, to align regional secondary students, employers and the University in a unique partnership which enhances the likelihood of students continuing to study and work in the region."
"Our aim is to find good employers who are relevant to the student's interests and areas they wish to study.
"Our programs are aimed at high achievers who have a strong sense of awareness and defined mindset with their career direction," Mrs Flanders said.
In 2010, Ulton has been a key employer partner in the ‘Get SET' program, by giving Year 12 Kepnock High School student Lisa Dinsey an opportunity to get her foot in the door.
Lisa demonstrated a keen interest in the area of accounting at school and, with this keen focus in mind, CQUniversity's Margaret Flanders, Ulton's HR Manager Maree Pengelly and Kepnock High School Guidance Officer Jennifer Obst were able to assist Lisa to join the 'Get SET' program without interfering with her regular schooling.
Ms Pengelly said: "It's a great opportunity for Lisa to shadow our team members in their diverse areas of business such as taxation, audit, superannuation, financial planning, business development and stockbroking, where she can gain a practical understanding of how work is performed in these areas".
Lisa has already developed an enthusiasm for superannuation.
"There is just something fascinating about superannuation. It's something that people do not think about until they get closer to retirement," Lisa said.
"The 'Get SET' program has given me the ability to understand and appreciate how an accounting firm operates, by giving me the insight required to solidify my career choices in accounting."
Kepnock High School's Guidance Officer, Jennifer Obst is a strong supporter of the program.
"The program has given students an opportunity to stay within the region where their family support network is strong," Ms Obst said.
"Students can have the best of both worlds where they can study and work with the benefit of having family close by for support. We find it very important for families to be involved in the decision-making process of students when choosing what to do after high school."