Students encouraged to aspire to local careers through brand new program

Twenty-one local Year 10 students are taking part in the brand new Armadale Aspire Career Development Program which will be launched by the City of Armadale on Wednesday 19 July.

Students from Armadale Senior High School, Cecil Andrews College, Carey Baptist College, Kelmscott Senior High School, Roleystone Community College and Southern Hills Christian College will take part in the pilot program that is the first of its kind in the Armadale region.

City of Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones said that through a unique partnership between local high schools and local businesses, the program, inspired by the Kwinana Industries Council’s (KIC) award-winning iPROJECT series, aims to connect education with industry.

“Armadale Aspire is aimed at increasing job-readiness, broadening young locals’ horizons and introducing the students to the variety of diverse career opportunities within their own region.

The program will incorporate a series of career-development workshops such as resume writing and interview techniques. In addition, industry excursions and the opportunity to meet potential employers will provide real life experience while discovering the variety of roles and industries based locally.”

Local businesses including Beaver Trees, Alita Constructions, Daly and Shaw and the Armadale Kelmscott Memorial Hospital are the first business partners on the program, offering students the opportunity for an introduction, tour and activities in their diverse industries.

The program will take place one day per week for six weeks, concluding in a Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday 23 August.

Supported by the Kwinana Industries Council, Armadale Aspire is the first program to emulate the successful iPROJECT model.

Many of the students who participated in the KIC iPROJECT went on to be successful with apprenticeships, further study, employment and progressive career pathways, which is also the hope for this program.