Resources
Career education planning and improvement
The Career Education Planning and Improvement (CEPI) Tool (DOCX)(opens in a new window) helps schools implement a high-quality career education program.
The tool includes 10 benchmarks that represent best practice in career education, guided by Australian and global research.
School leadership and career education teams can use the CEPI Tool to self-evaluate their school’s career education practice and identify areas for improvement.
Initiatives and programs
The department provides several career education initiatives that schools may access, including:
- Career education(opens in a new window) – information to support delivery of a career education program that helps students make informed career decisions and equip themselves for their future
- Careers and Pathways on Arc Learning(opens in a new window) – resources to support career education in Years 7 to 12
- My Career Insights(opens in a new window) – a program that provides access to the Morrisby career diagnostic tool, followed by a one-on-one career counselling session with an external qualified and accredited careers practitioner
- My Career Portfolio(opens in a new window) – an online careers e-portfolio that allows students to create an online career action plan and keep all of their career planning documents in one place
- School to Work(opens in a new window) – a program that supports schools to find appropriate work experience and structured workplace learning placements for students
- Head Start(opens in a new window) – a program that provides support for school-based apprenticeships and traineeships
- Trade & Tech Fit(opens in a new window) – a career expo for female and gender diverse students that demonstrates the exciting world of trade and tech industries
Parent communication
The department also provides supporting information for families, including:
- Career and course exploration with your child(opens in a new window) – a guide to parent participation in career education
- Talk to your child about their career(opens in a new window) – a guide to assist parents to navigate discussions about careers with their children
- Study options in Years 11 and 12(opens in a new window) – a guide to the key pathways for students’ final years of school
Transition support for early school leavers
Students leaving school without completing Year 12 can access the dedicated Victorian Early Leaver Connection Initiative (VELCI) Career Advice Service through their local Skills and Jobs Centre. This is a free and voluntary service that provides career, training and education advice to support early school leavers to transition to their chosen post-school pathway: VELCI Career Advice Service(opens in a new window).
In target areas, additional supports such as culturally appropriate and inclusive mentoring and group activities are available for Koorie students and students with a disability who leave school without completing Year 12. For further information on the target areas and providers: VELCI Providers to contact for extra help(opens in a new window).
Schools are encouraged to use the referral template (DOCX)(opens in a new window) to refer students leaving school before completing Year 12 to the Career Advice Service and, where available, additional supports:
- for compulsory school age students, completion of the Exemption from School Application form enables the sharing of this student and parent/carer information with providers (refer to the Exemption from School Attendance and Enrolment policy)
- for referrals for students aged 17 and over, the referral should be discussed with the student as part of formal exit interview processes – notice that the information in the referral form will be shared with a provider(s) must be given before making the referral.
Updated