Case Study
The following case study provides a real life example of how your school program can be tailored to meet the needs of your Queensland Certificate of Education and also your Australian School-based Apprenticeship.
Certificate II in Business
Michael works in his electrical apprenticeship with a local power generation company every Wednesday and Thursday. He is transported to the Central Queensland University Gladstone campus one evening each week to allow him to undertake his Certificate II in Business studies. Michael has also chosen to do extra days of work with his employer during school holidays.
Trade Certificate Training Plan
Michael is also required to complete coursework associated with his Australian School-based Apprenticeship (electrical). He will undertake these studies in blocks of four weeks at Central Queensland Institute of TAFE in Gladstone. Blocks of studies are often conducted during school holidays.
Queensland Certificate of Education (senior school) Study Plan
Michael has his sights set on tertiary studies upon completion of his apprenticeship so has chosen to include Physics into his school program. Most students elect to study Maths, English Communication and a Science or Business subjects but Michael has elected to focus on Maths B, English and Physics to help him with further studies in the electro-technology field at tertiary level. All other school subjects have been removed from his program. Providing Michael's grades are acceptable, he will graduate with a Queensland Certificate of Education upon completion of Year 12 which recognises his in-school and outside school studies and work. Queensland Certificate of Education page Queensland Studies Authority website.
About Michael
Michael comes from a family with a strong trade background. His goal was to study engineering at university upon leaving school but his parents and other relatives encouraged him to consider completing a trade first, to give him the practical skills that would help him in his career.
He accepted their advice and decided to apply for apprenticeships at the end of Year 11 but, while short-listed by several of the major industries in the local area, he was unsuccessful, due mainly to his age.
He went though the employment process for experience and did not expect to get an apprenticeship or to be short-listed. He felt better for the experience and well prepared to go through the process a year later when ready to embark on a trade career.
Then he heard about Australian School-based Apprenticeships with the Australian Technical College - Gladstone Region and the rest is history. His aptitude and skills testing results and an outstanding commitment to an electrical trade career put him in the box seat for an electrical Australian School-based Apprenticeship.
Now he is well on his way to a trade career with NRG Gladstone Operating Services (power station) and his supervisors report he is proving to be a valuable member of their team and a good choice for an electrical trade career with their company.
When asked to comment about the selection process and the Australian School-based Apprenticeship program offered via the Australian Technical College - Gladstone Region, Michael said:
"I'd recommend this to other students. The selection and employment process is professionally handled and easy to follow.
"The program between school, the College and work is great. My study load is achievable and I am coping quite well.
"I don't miss too many actual lessons at school and I have chosen to attend a lesson on Tuesdays (a study day at home for Michael) so I can keep up with the Physics work. I also attend tutorial sessions at school on Mondays and Fridays on top of my other classes to catch up on any work I have missed during the week.
"The great thing about this is that my trade certificate study and work, coupled with the subjects I am doing at school, will put me in a good position to gain university entrance down the track for when I pursue further studies to help my career. I thank NRG Gladstone Operating Services and the Australian Technical College - Gladstone Region for this opportunity."