The NSW Government has committed to the ongoing funding of the Educational Pathways Program (EPP), which improves education and career outcomes for young people in the state’s public schools.
Announced by Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, at Seven Hills High School’s Vocational Innovation Centre, the EPP engages high school students in a range of careers pathway experiences, including in vocational education and training (VET), job readiness workshops and school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.
EPP leader, Shannon Mudiman said the program is vital in setting up students for post-school success by giving them new experiences to trial different vocations.
“This extension ensures the continuation of the EPP’s vital career guidance and vocational education services that help students connect with local industry and give them a great career head start before they have even graduated,” Mr Mudiman said.
The EPP program is currently offered in 183 NSW schools with secondary enrolments with ongoing funding confirmed for all schools that have access to the full suite of program initiatives.
Following five years of delivery, the extension will see the program secure 108 jobs and provide career education experiences for more than 70,000 students every year.
“The EPP’s impact is beyond building students’ career aspirations; it helps uplift the community and economy by creating a highly skilled workforce ready to meet the needs of society, industries facing skills shortages and new technologies,” Mr Mudiman said.
Educational Pathways VET Ambassador, Xavier Jeremijenko says his experiences with the EPP have directly paved the way to his apprenticeship with Innovation Building Group, where he has found a passion for sustainable and architectural housing designs.
While a student at Keira High School in 2022, Xavier embarked on his vocational journey by completing an EPP TAFE NSW Start Your Future course in Engineering – Fitting & Machining.
That same year, Xavier furthered his experience by undertaking an EPP delivered Productivity Bootcamp, a two-week introduction to the construction industry, which inspired him to complete a school-based traineeship in Construction Pathways where he worked on tiny homes.
Xavier says that the EPP experiences have fast tracked his career and made him a good candidate for employment. He was able to successfully secure a first-year apprentice carpenter position and be job ready for the building industry because of his prior knowledge and skills.
“The EPP has given me the core skills to get me to where I need to be, and I am at least six months ahead in my coursework for a Certificate III in Carpentry. Without these experiences I wouldn’t be where I am today and would have had to start from square one,” Mr Jeremijenko said.
“For anyone who’s undecided about their pathway, say yes to opportunities like the TAFE NSW Start Your Future courses. You never know what might grab your interest and lead to a career and opportunities you are passionate about.”
EPP Principal Champion and Glendale Technology High School principal, Anthony Angel, has had the number of school-based apprentices and trainees more than double since the school partnered with the EPP, from 18 students to 38.
He credits the EPP with broadening students’ exposure to varied career pathways and enabling them to think more intuitively about their decisions.
Mr Angel says that the EPP supplements the school’s existing careers and transition education by expanding the post-school pathways for students.
“Our students have a lot more clarity and greater focus on career goals because it gives them greater practical exposure and more purpose in establishing their futures,” Mr Angel said.
In 2024, Glendale Technology High School had 743 instances of student participation in EPP initiatives.
“My goal when partnering with the EPP was to reach the point where employers are knocking on my door to ask if I have a student who suits a particular role. I am confident to say that we have now established this relationship with local industry.”
