Worlds of Work in the Goldfields LLEN
2010
In June the Goldfields LLEN team accepted an invitation to spend an afternoon in
Melbourne with some students from Bendigo South East College participating in the
Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) Worlds of Work (WOW) program. Whilst gaining
valuable experience of Melbourne the students were able to investigate the world of work
by interacting with various businesses and organizations.
The Goldfields LLEN team travelled with them to the 33rd floor of 120 Collins Street to meet
with staff from Rio Tinto. The students were able to interview them about their work and
broader lives. Seeing Year 10s discussing what work meant to Rio Tinto personnel involved
in worldwide shipping, pensions for expatriate workers, working with local indigenous
communities at mine sites, and company finances was amazing. Another visit to the Shrine
of Remembrance saw the students interact with the volunteers there. The earlier classroom
preparation ensured that the students were able to gain valuable insights into what it meant
to be employed at either site.
The FYA were keen to initiate an inaugural WOW program in a regional centre. This firsthand experience of the Worlds of Work and the glowing reports from teachers encouraged
the Goldfields LLEN team to broker partnerships in the Bendigo area that would lead to the
successful implementation of the program. Discussions and consequent planning
commenced to launch a program in Bendigo in 2011. Offering the program in the students’
own local community would have dual benefits that included increased accessibility for
students at a reduced cost whilst enlightening schools and students to the worlds of work in
their own local community.
2011
Three Worlds of Work programs were delivered in Bendigo. 71 Year 9/10 students attended
from Castlemaine Secondary College, Bendigo South East College, and Crusoe 7 – 10
Secondary College. The response from, and participation by, local businesses, local
government, schools and other associates encouraged the Goldfields LLEN to plan a 2012
program that could involve 100 students. The availability of the Bendigo Science and
Discovery Centre as a venue, added to the 2011 success.
2012
Four Worlds of Work program are being conducted in Bendigo including a student cohort of
Indigenous and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Year 11 students. Best Community
Development became aware of the program and offered their premises free of charge for
two programs with the Bendigo Science and Discovery Centre our host venue for the other
two programs. As part of a national partnership between FYA and the Australian
Broadcasting Commission (ABC), our local ABC radio station will welcome students to their
world as part of two of the 2012 programs.
Why WOW
The Goldfields LLEN Strategic Plan for 2010-2013 included goals concerned with improving
student pathways to meet regional skill shortage areas as well as improve Year 12
attainment or its equivalent. One way to increase student awareness of possible vocational
pathways, and to increase student understanding of the meaning of “work” and its potential
place in their lives was to get them involved in discussions with practising workers. These
contemporary workers could share their experience and insights into their world of work
for students to consider in developing their education, employment and life goals. By being
exposed to a range of workers and learning some of the skills involved in drawing out the
information they were seeking, these students would gain confidence in communicating
with adults. We hoped that these interactions would provide them with information
grounded in the experiences of those they heard that could then be considered in
determining choices associated with their life journey.
Though not specifically targeted at particular industry skill shortages, the GLLEN believed
that providing this experience for students would lead to better-informed choices of career,
and greater resolve to do what was required in educational settings to achieve those goals.
Many students commented after the program that they now wished to stay at school to
complete Year 12 as they had a goal in mind.
How did it go
All students were surveyed after the program. Some results of those surveys included:
 98.6% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that the WOW program increased
their awareness of different options for future work.
 94.2% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that since doing WOW they feel
equipped to take up more/new opportunities.
 90% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that the WOW program increased
their understanding of what it takes to succeed in work.
 97.2% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that after WOW they have
stronger belief in what they can achieve in life.
 95.7% of the students agreed or strongly agreed that the WOW program encouraged
them to develop aspirations (set goals) for their future
Teacher responses included the following comments that provide some insight into the
value of the program:
 “The program really opened their eyes to the broader possibilities they have open to
them. I think they realised what their goals are now, are likely to shift and change in
the future, and so having goals that are focussed on personal strengths and passions
are more important than necessarily career specific goals.”
 “At some point all of the students were put in a situation or environment that
challenged their comfort zone…. they overcame their fears or weaknesses and
realised that they are capable of much more than (they) thought they were.”
Comments from the participants from the Bendigo organizations included:
 “I think the program is a wonderful idea and would love to have my own children
participate in future years.”
 “I thought the programme was excellent and to be honest, the time flew and they
were a brilliant bunch, all three weeks.”
 “An opportunity to help young people better themselves in life. Priceless.”
 “The WoW program has given me a proud feeling! Proud that our organisation
could take part in such a wonderful program and proud at watching the students
presentations on the Friday. It was a wonderful experience and one that I would be
happy to have again. Thank you.”
 “It was great to hear young people’s opinions and it was very enjoyable to be able to
answer some of the concerns they had about choosing a career.”
Students, teachers, and business participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Why Bendigo worked
The WOW program needed the participation of local businesses as hosts and contributors
to discussions regarding the worlds of work. We decided to approach organizations within
the central business district of Bendigo to avoid costs of transporting students (they could
walk everywhere) and the associated loss of time. GLLEN partnership brokers met with
targeted businesses to inform them of this wonderful opportunity. Once they were
informed of the program they jumped on board. Most organizations wish to help young
people and they were keen to be involved, not only the first time but in the subsequent
programs.
Introductory informative meetings were followed by planning meetings with each partner
to brief them on the requirements for their input into their part of the program. Ongoing
liaison with all parties was needed to maximise participation. Operatives from the
Foundation for Young Australians travelled to Bendigo to meetings facilitated by GLLEN
team members.
In 2011 the Bendigo Science and Discovery Centre leapt at the opportunity to host the first 3
programs and offered their facilities at a reduced cost. Their location opposite the railway
station and on the edge of the central business district was a godsend.
The City of Greater Bendigo and the Bendigo Advertiser provided numerous staff to
discuss their work world with students over lunch. St Luke’s Anglicare, O’Farrell Robertson
McMahon (solicitors) and Strategem Financial Services welcomed students to their world.
National Australia Bank ran networking breakfasts and included some of their clients to
share their experience. All of these were very generous in offering their staff and time in
their busy work weeks.
We were also able to involve three exceptional inspirational speakers on the Friday morning
of each program because of established relationships with key local people. FYA depended
on us to inform, arrange, and follow through with the arrangements as they had no local
contacts except through us and the schools who had used their services previously in
Melbourne.
Students had opportunities to hear and interact with directors, councillors, and local
government staff from departments such as City Futures , Community Wellbeing, Planning
and Development, Presentation and Assets, and Organisation Support at the City of Greater
Bendigo. They could also interact with the general manager, the editor, journalists,
advertising sales and production staff at the Bendigo Advertiser. Accountants, financial
planners, office managers and administrative staff from Strategem Financial Services shared
their experiences of work as did lawyers, solicitors and managerial staff from O’Farrell
Robertson McMahon. Counsellors and welfare workers from various departments at St
Luke’s Anglicare informed the students of their work and an array of staff from the
National Australia Bank engaged the students in conversations regarding various aspects of
working in the banking system. They also had input from television presenter and scientist
Chris Russell, mortgage broker/contract negotiator/social entrepreneur Brad Chapman, and
young Bendigo City Councillor James Reade as inspirational speakers. Thus the students had
exposure and insights into many careers.
These initial Bendigo programs were also made possible because of the support of the
schools involved. They had participated in Melbourne and knew the great value of the
program. Now that the Bendigo business community is growing in awareness we may
extend the program to other schools in the region.
Where to from here
We have completed the first of the four 2012 programs. The Goldfields LLEN needs to
ensure that the success continues so that will involve ongoing maintenance of the already
established relationships as well as building up the number of businesses that wish to
participate. In our first program this year a staff member from the school was a copresenter. This worked very well. If the program grows to include other schools unfamiliar
with the program then finding suitable co-presenters may be difficult.
Conclusion
The continued positive feedback from students, parents, businesses, teachers and others
has encouraged the Goldfields LLEN to continue developing partnerships alongside FYA in
the adoption of Worlds of Work programs in the Bendigo area. We will keep Bendigo on the
Worlds of Work map.
For more information go to the GLLEN website: http://www.gllen.org.au/
Expansion of WOW
Programs and locations
Students gaining different perspectives on
work at Rio Tinto, 33 Floor (2010)
Students discussing work with the Bendigo
Advertiser staff. May 2012
Students growing in confidence at WOW
final presentations, May 2012
Attendees networking at the NAB
breakfast, May 2012