Bundaberg Region Year 12 leavers lead state in employment

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Bundaberg Region Year 12 leavers have entered the workforce in greater numbers than others in Queensland but fewer have started a bachelor degree.

That's one of the main revelations in the Education Department's Next Step survey profile, available online from the Government Statistician.

The annual survey identifies the study, work or other point-in-time destinations of school leavers after completing or leaving all government, Catholic or independent schools in Queensland.

Thirty-eight per cent of 2017 Bundaberg Region Year 12 leavers were either working part-time or full time, according to the data, compared with 28 per cent statewide.

The numbers seeking work were similar — 12.6 per cent for Bundaberg Region and 11 per cent across Queensland.

Nearly 39 per cent of students statewide had started a bachelor degree while it was 27 per cent for the Bundaberg Region.

Last year's school leavers will be contacted over the next few months to participate in the Next Step survey.

Kepnock State High School principal Nicholas Howkins said it's an important gauge about how well students are progressing.

Writing in a recent newsletter, Mr Howkins said the school uses the information to inform decisions about courses that are offered to meet the needs of students.

“The Next Step survey also provides the school with information about what trade and employment areas students enter when they leave Year 12,” Mr Howkins said.

“As a school, we have moved away from offering VET courses delivered by the school.

Hollie Cooper USC scholarship
2018 Kepnock State High School captain Hollie Cooper has been awarded one of USC’s most prestigious scholarships for first-year students.

“Instead, we have allocated four weeks within the Year 10 curriculum for students to access a broad range of Certificate courses offered by a range of local and state based trainers, with some in-house partnership.

“Some of these courses will lead to Certificate III courses in Year 11 and 12 and will set up students for employment opportunities in some of the more advanced technology sectors such as aviation, CAD and engineering.”

Mr Howkins noted the success of last year's school captain Hollie Cooper in being awarded one of USC's most prestigious scholarships for first-year students.

He also mentioned Shaye Liddell, who has begun studying at UQ. She has been recognised for her leadership and potential with a Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarship from QTAC and the Bowness Family Foundation Award from the University of Queensland.

“What is most encouraging is that students from our school, and our region, are securing very prestigious and highly competitive awards and scholarships over their city-based peers,” Mr Howkins said.

Brief confidential school-leaver survey

The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school leavers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June all students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office.