Work Experience & White card @GPHS
Work experience can play a significant role in your child's education and personal development. GPHS students are able to experience almost any occupation they can imagine via the NSW DET’s work experience program. Student safety and wellbeing is paramount when undertaking workplace learning, follow this link to view the NSW DET's information regarding insurance and prohibited activities.
FAST FACTS ABOUT WORK EXPERIENCE
Students must be at least 14 years of age to undertake work experience.
Students must complete the My Work Experience online modules and submit their completion certificate to the careers adviser in their google classroom.
Students can try almost any job they like. If you can find a host-employer in the chosen career/industry (and it's not on the prohibited activities list), we can most likely organise a placement with them.
Students can participate in up to 50 school days of work experience during each school year. However, the 50 days cannot be taken in one block.
Students are covered by the NSW DET's insurance for the duration of all placements once the required paperwork is completed.
Placement dates must take place on school days...weekends and holiday dates are not permitted.
Days at work are counted as school days (not absences). This is because even though students are not physically at school, they are still undertaking education...it just happens to be in an alternate environment.
Placements in the construction industry require students to have completed a Construction Induction Course (White Card). See below for more information about this.
Workplace learning provides students with the opportunity to:
Learn the realities of the workplace.
Identify career options and pathways.
Gain job-ready skills and knowledge.
Put classroom learning into practice.
Decide if they like the job or industry.
Understand study, training, and work opportunities.
Choose elective subjects.
Prepare for life after school.
HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR YOUNG PERSON TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT WORK EXPERIENCE?
Transport - Work times are not usually school hours, so transport arrangements will need to be planned in advance. Can you assist them getting to work for the duration of their placement, or will they require public transport?
Attitude - Work Placement is not just about practising and extending industry skills. Attitude, initiative, communication, attire, and punctuality are all on show. Helping your young person feel positive and ready to try their best will help set them up for a great placement!
Special Requirements - Some workplaces require a student to hold additional records (e.g. White Card) or wear particular clothing. Does your young person have these things in place already?
Industry Training - Employers understand students need to use work placement to gain a genuine insight into the jobs market. This is an incredibly valuable opportunity that school cannot provide alone. Do you have an industry contact that could host your child? If so, contact Mr Rhodes and he will assist you and the employer to organise a placement.
Being Positive Role Models - Being a positive role model for your young person can have a huge impact on the way they view the opportunities work experience can provide. Can you back this up with good news stories of your career experiences? A positive attitude towards work experience, especially early on, can be instrumental in students having confidence and therefore experiencing success.
If you would like your student to participate in a work experience placement during the school term please read the two documents below. Once you have read these please contact the school's careers adviser.
Workplace-learning-guide-for-parents-carers-23.pdfProhibited_activities-22.pdf
CONSTRUCTION INDUCTION COURSE (WHITE CARD)
The SafeWork NSW White Card (CPCWHS1001 – Prepare to work safely in the construction industry) is a mandatory requirement for anyone working on a construction site in NSW. GPHS's preferred training company is Catch Training at St Marys, and their course takes one day to complete. Catch Training's discounted student rate is $80 and this rate is only available if the student is booked in by the school. Payment is made directly to Catch via their online portal or by cash/card on the day of the course. GPHS does not manage or receive any payments for this course.
To organise a white card course please follow the steps below.
Find a date that suits you. Catch Training runs courses regularly, their calendar can be viewed here. GPHS permits students to attend white card courses on school days.
The student will need a Unique Student Identifier (USI). This can be obtained here.
When you have reviewed Catch Training's calendar, and obtained a USI, please fill out this form.
You will be contacted by our careers adviser to confirm your booking when you have completed the steps above.
