Skills Of The Future Offered In High Schools

Real estate, robotics and social media are just some of the 20 new online Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses to be made available to every Cootamundra electorate government high school student in 2022.

In addition to existing face-to-face VET, Year 11 and 12 students will have the opportunity to study online courses that will give them in-demand skills for the workplaces. These courses will form part of their HSC and contribute to their ATAR.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the new courses will allow students to receive world-class skills training.

“These courses will help students build skills across emerging industries, including advanced manufacturing, technology and engineering,” Ms Cooke said.

“I am excited to see students across the Cootamundra electorate get the opportunity to access these new courses as part of the NSW Government’s Curriculum Reform.”

“I am a passionate believer in the benefits of VET courses and their ability to engage students in their studies. These new online courses will make students more employable and gives them the choice to pursue further education in fields with plenty of career opportunities.”

The new online courses, specifically designed for high school students, cover a range of future-focused industry sectors including cyber security, data analytics, accounting, horticulture, gaming, community and health services.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said developing these online courses was also about making VET more available in regional NSW. “These are exciting areas for young people to be studying and puts them in the best place to find a job in dynamic industries, helping to build a safer and stronger regional NSW.

“These new courses are part of the curriculum reform, streamlining education and breaking down barriers for VET subjects in senior school years.

“The courses will provide a credential for students in their chosen field and go towards their HSC and ATAR.”

Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Government is committed to meeting skill shortages by enhancing access to training that focuses on emerging professions and new skill areas.

“These new online courses are a win-win for students. Not only does it make them instantly employable, they also have the choice to pursue further education in fields with plenty of career opportunities,” Mr Lee said.

“Demand for jobs like cyber security specialists is huge and growing, and these courses are designed to help meet that need. From 2022, a student studying cyber security will have access to this new online course to get started in the fast-growing tech sector.”