A I T C M A G A Z I N E I S S U E J U N E / 2 0 1 5

ASOFIA Queensland Apprentice of the Year

College Leaders Making a Difference

Redlands Campus for AITC

Reflections on English

2015 Starts Strong

Blast off to your trade career with the AITC’s IQ Program

Surf Riding Apprentices

Over 1050 apprenticeships have been achieved by the AITC since 2008.

98% of these young people have included a senior education as an important part of this career goal.

There is no doubt that the AITC has become a significant contributor to both employment and education in Queensland. So where to from here?

The new Strategic Plan (2015-2017) answers this question very clearly.

Here are the goals which will motivate us over the next three years.

Our VisionTo be a nationally recognised integrated education, training and employment facilitator of first choice for parents, students and employers.

Our MissionTo create the highest standard of apprentice for employment in industry through a pathway of recruitment, rigorous senior education, and personal development.

AITC Three YeAr GOAlsGrow in scope (at robina)• We will increase the types of service

and educational program we offer and range of students we educate

• We will expand the employment offerings

• We will expand the educational offerings

• We will expand the types of students we include (i.e. IQ initiative).

Grow in scale• We will Grow the number of

students we teach by expanding our geographical locations

• We will investigate new campus opportunities

• We will commence a new campus in Redlands commencing in 2016.

Grow in sustainability, Quality and reputation• We will become financially sustainable • We will deliver the highest quality

educational programs

• We will actively build the AITC brand In Qld and Australia

• We will develop leadership to resource the expansion

• We will expand the productivity and number of corporate partnerships

• Both employers and young people are the focus of our next three year goals.

I anticipate that you will experience the productive outcomes which arise from the energy we will invest in making these goals come to fruition.

See you in 2018 (and before then too)! Regards,

Mark Hands, CEO

PAGE 1

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In 2013 the College took a group of staff and young people to Cambodia to work with the staff of an amazing

local charity called New Hope. This charity, under the inspirational leadership of a young local Cambodian, and with the support of large international service groups and charities including Rotary International, has done unbelievable work for the most disadvantaged families in the Siem Reap area in the north of Cambodia.

Cambodia was devastated by the genocide of Pol Pot during the 1970s and is considered one of the poorest countries in Asia. Following the success of this service project the College has committed to return to continue work this year in September.

In February we asked young people to express an interest in being a part of “ISP 2015” and were overwhelmed when 66 families attended our information evening. From that evening 31 young people were selected, along with eight college staff to make up the 2015 project team.

This year we have also added four employers (who will be joining us as qualified tradesmen and goup leaders) and two former students to our travelling party, making a group of nearly 50 people. What a formidable team!

The team have been meeting in the past months to get to know each other and to plan the projects that they will be undertaking whilst in Cambodia. One group of young people and staff will be working in a village where they will be able to build new homes for families who otherwise would have no shelter.

A second group of young people will be working in the New Hope facility in the town. This group will be building an extension to the amazing rice distribution shelter that was built by the 2013 team. They will also be working in the school to develop the playground which at the moment is a simple concrete courtyard, help teach English and work in the clinic.

As an added bonus our wonderful young hairdressers will run a hairdressing school and provide haircuts for families in the local community.

The team set themselves a goal of raising $100,000 before their departure at the end of September and the amazing news is that they have raised close to $60,000 already! They have been addressing local service clubs and large and small

businesses. They have been pounding the pavement seeking support and funds for the project. We are immensely proud of the maturity that they have displayed in the commitment to changing the lives of some of the world’s most critically poor people.

If you would like to donate to the ISP Cambodia 2015 Project go to the gofundraise website: http://makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/snokebob . From here donations will be collated and forwarded directly to the New Hope. Our young people would be the first to remind you that a donation equivalent to a few cups of coffee could provide clothing or a bed for a Cambodian child who has neither.

Our young people are excited and committed. They are out in the community seeking sponsorships and donations. They are learning about Cambodian culture and planning projects and activities that they hope will change the lives of the people they come into contact with. n

ISP Cambodia Project 2015

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The AITC Boardriders Club was initiated earlier this year, driven by a need to help, guide, inspire

and mentor our young people out of the classroom arena. We came together to hang out, chat, meet new friends and ultimately to be encouraged to make good choices in life. Surfing was the catalyst in bringing our young people together. Twelve young people immediately joined up and within two

days, we had over twenty! We catch up twice a week, see how

everyone’s week is going, talk, watch surf clips and invite surf celebrity guest speakers to inspire us with their stories. One such speaker was former champion professional surfer Guy Ormerod. Guy is recognised as one of Queensland’s most respected and talented surfer. Although Guy began his life in poverty and hardship, he was determined to

succeed in life and help others. His story encouraged and inspired our young people to make the right choices to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Our young boardriders also had the privilege of meeting the head coach of Surfing Australia and former professional surfer Andy King. Andy has coached world champion surfers/competitors such as Mick Fanning, Sally Fitzgibbon and the top junior surfers in Australia.

The AITC will be represented at the MR Shield School Surfing Teams Event later this year, a first for the College. The boardriders will also participate in a number of excursions this year including the opportunity to visit a legendary surfboard shaper’s studio who will demonstrate how a hand shaped surfboard is built. In the next few months, the group will visit the Hurley Surfing Performance Centre where the best surfers in the world are trained. This centre is also recognised as being one the best elite sports centres in the world.

Without a doubt the most rewarding aspect of the AITC Boardriding club is having the opportunity to meet the greats of the surfing world to encourage, support and inspire them to be and to give the best they can in every area of their life. n

Miami Beach SLSC would like to thank the Australian Industry Trade College for their

invaluable sponsorship during the 2014 – 2015 season. The sponsorship provided the club with two Racing ‘Mals’ which allowed our 14yr and 15yr old members the opportunity to practice those skills required in rescuing people from the surf

and for competition at carnivals across the state and nationally.

Without the generous support of institutions like the AITC, our younger members would not have the resources needed to provide the service to patrol between the flags for the thousands of visitors on our beach every year. Thank you again. n

AITC’s new boardriders

PAGE 4

IMarch this year the AITC Employment & Recruitment Director, Andrew Pevats, attended the fourth bi-annual

Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET) con-ference. The theme of the conference was Developing Skills across Institutional Boundaries, and attracted 130 delegates from around the world with the goal of exchanging Vocational Education and Training (VET) findings and reflect on VET issues. During his time there, Andrew was able to network with many of the inter-national delegates exploring ideas of the different models of VET education from countries including; The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, China, the United Kingdom, Finland, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa.

The conference addressed the inte-gration of teaching and learning across different learning locations (school and

the workplace) which while being at the core of VET issues, constitutes an important challenge for skills acquisi-tion. VET is the most popular form of upper-secondary level education in Switzerland and many of the surround-ing European countries. There is a lot to learn from a model that has been in operation for the past thirty years which in Switzerland is known as the “dual track”system which involves part-time classroom instruction at a VET school combined with a part-time apprentice-ship. This is very similar to the Australian School-based Apprenticeship model and over two thirds of young people in Switzerland enter the workforce in given occupations in this way. This provides the foundation for lifelong learning opening up the way for a wealth of job prospects.

Attendance at the conference rein-forced that key elements of the AITC

model have been successful internation-ally including closely matching the needs of the labour market, both in terms of skills and the number of available jobs. This explains why Switzerland has one of the lowest youth unemployment rates among European countries and will go a long way to addressing this issue in South East Queensland. n

Developing skills across institutional boundaries

Jace Pillay (University of Johannesburg), Carmen Baumeler (SFIVET), Botumelo Diale (University of Johannesburg), Andrew Pevats (AITC).

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When we discuss work health and safety, we often focus on safety. However, health is

by far a bigger issue than safety in the equation.

Safety relates to accidents with acute and immediate consequences which result in injuries. For example, falling off a roof or receiving an electric shock.

On the other hand, Health relates to the long term outcomes of exposure to hazards which result in illness, dis-ease and ill health. For example, skin cancer from long term exposure to the suns ultra-violate radiation and lung dis-ease from exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.

Due to the accumulative nature and passing of time before an illness becomes evident, health is often not taken as seriously as safety. This is high-lighted by the number of older workers who have strained their backs over the years and now have serious problems.

The ratio of deaths form work acci-dents compared to work related illness is approximately 1:48. That is, for 250 work accident fatalities, there are 12,000 deaths from work related illness and dis-eases! ((IAOH, 2010).

Similarly health and wellness, apart from the impacts of work, is a major issue for society today. A report by the Australian Government (2011) regarding

the health and well being of young peo-ple found the following: GOOD NEWS• Death rates due to injuries have

declined• Asthma hospitalisations have declined• Smoking and illicit substance use has

declined• Most young people use a form of

contraception• Most young people are achieving min-

imum standards for reading, writing and numeracy

AREAS TO IMPROvE• Rising rates of diabetes, sexually trans-

mitted disease, mental disorders, and road accident deaths

• To many young people are overweight or obese

• To many young people are not meet-ing physical activity or nutritional guidelines

• To many young people are drinking alcohol at high risk levels

• To many young people are victims alcohol or drug related violence

In response, the College has formed a “holistic committee” which provides a “Wellness Day” each term. We invite special guests with experience and knowledge in these areas to engage with and support our young people with these “health” issues. The wellness days are proving very successful and feedback from the young people is that they are very beneficial. n

On the 18th and 19th July the Gold Coast will host the Kokoda Challenge. Starting in

Mudgeeraba and following trails out into the Hinterland, the challenge totals 96kms of rough terrain with a 39-hour time limit. The 39 hours is in honour of the brave 39th Militia who defend-ed Australia on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. 3 young people and 1 staff member from the AITC will be involved in this Challenge which is the first part of the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program. The Kokoda Challenge Youth Program is a 14-month long term

commitment which includes physical training and mentoring in preparation for trekking in Papua New Guinea. During the Challenge in September this year, the team will visit the Northern Beaches or walk the Kokoda Track which were both significant battle sites in the Japanese invasion of 1942. During the 12 day trek, the group will experience a physical, mental and cul-tural journey of a lifetime, as well as experience the opportunity to give back to the local community through various community service projects. n

Health & Safety

Kokoda Challenge

PAGE 6

The Australian Industry Trade College continues to take part in a range of commemorative events

and projects that promote Australia’s proud ANZAC heritage and history. The 2 tonne granite slab that was donated by the City of Albany arrived earlier this year in Robina following a two month trip by road and rail via Perth, Adelaide

and Brisbane. A ceremony was held on January 30th to announce the arrival with Cr Jan Grew representing the Gold Coast City Council formally receiving the slab in front of the college young people and a number of distinguished guests.

In April Mark Hands and Olivija Komadina returned to Albany, WA to represent the AITC at their commem-orative ANZAC day service and other events. This was the departure point for thousands of Australian servicemen and women who for many would be the last part of Australia they would ever see. Once again they were hosted by the Great Southern Grammar School in Albany and further links were estab-lished in this partnership.

For our ANZAC day service in Robina, Karen Andrews, Federal Member for McPherson was on hand to officiate with what was an inspirational message on this significant day. Through the assis-tance of her office, the AITC received a grant for $4578 from the Federal

ANZAC Centenary Local Grant Program to contribute towards the design and construction of a memorial at the Robina campus. The vision for this memorial will be a symbolic connection between the college values and the ANZAC leg-acy. We are currently working with Griffith University’s Built Environment & Architectural faculty to create a contem-porary design that will suit the site.

An important part of the AITC pro-gramme and college culture is the refer-ence to symbols. These reflect Australia’s cultural identity and facilitate cultural regeneration. Symbols also assist indi-viduals feel an emotional connection to others from the past and ANZAC sym-bols are among the most powerful in our nation’s history. Along with the granite slab, the team also received a Lone Pine seedling which is directly descended from the Allepo pines in Gallipoli. This and other symbols will be important fea-tures in the narrative that the memorial will symbolise. n

ANZAC commemorations

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Australian Industry Trade College (AITC) student, Hannah Perkin, is proving construction isn’t just

a man’s world as one of a handful of female students looking to secure apprenticeships as a carpenter.

As she wraps up her third week on the CityVillage site in Robina, Hannah has good odds at being part of the College success with 93% of all AITC students graduating with a full time apprenticeship.

“I am studying carpentry at AITC and I’m really enjoying it. I like that I am able to physically do the work whilst I’m studying,” she said.

According to the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) states that we now have a female participation rate of 16.2% in the Australian construction industry, with only 13.6% in key management positions.

Hannah is working on site at Robina Group’s CityVillage, the $200 million masterplanned community just 250 metres from Robina Town Centre. Comprising a mix of terrace homes and apartments, CityVillage offers urban living in the heart of the city. n

AITC student becomes part of something bigger at CityvillageTrade Finder expo

22nd August

The Chairman’s Cup Golf Tournament 25th September

ICe 2015 7th November

Graduation 20th November

sAVe The DATe!

The AITC’s biggest event of the year, Industry Celebration Evening (ICE) 2015 will be held on 7th November 2015.

Be part of this wonderful event where we celebrate our young people’s journey.More information on ICE 2015 on our website soon! n

Events Calendar

PAGE 8

AITC apprentice Jayden Wood, who is currently signed up with Project Queensland (PQ) was

recently named ASOFIA, (Australian Shop & Office Fitting Industry Association), Queensland Apprentice of the Year. Projects Queensland (PQ) now in its 26th year of operation is a high-end shopfitting, cabinet making, architectural joinery, project management and interior fitout business committed to the training, mentoring and development of apprentices who join the company. PQ’s Production Manager Russell Baker who is also a Member of the AITC said the college has a fantastic record of success in the training of young people across a wide range of trades. “Jayden’s award exemplified PQ and AITC’s dedication to the skilled training of young people”, enthused Russell Baker. The announcement of Jayden’s award was made at ASOFIA’s 2015

annual conference held in Hobart. At the conference PQ also received awards for - Best Interior Fitout over $1M for the Louis Vuitton Brisbane expansion, Best Commercial Interior Fitout for Sunland

head office Brisbane, Queensland Interior Fitout of the Year for TAG Heuer Brisbane and Best use of the Sponsor’s Product (Laminex) for the Louis Vuitton Brisbane Expansion. . n

AITC apprentice fits out Louis vuitton and Tag Heuer shops

As we settle into another year at the AITC, it’s great to see that our young people are steadily

offered apprenticeships. Apprenticeship signups for the first half of this year

have increased by 16% compared to the same time last year. This increase in sign ups can be attributed to two factors:• The effectiveness of our inaugural Industry Quickstart (IQ) Program offered

last year led to the readiness to work of the young people who took part in the Program and• The increased demand from employers for apprentices as a result of improved conditions in industry due to lower interest rates and the subsequent increase in housing prices, building approvals and building commencements.

The three largest employing occupations in Construction in 2014 were:- • Carpentry • Joiners/Shopfitting • Electrical

Childcare is a new trade that is showing a strong surge in demand. Since 2013 when the College signed up its first young person into a Childcare traineeship, the demand for Childcare trainees has increased by 300%.

2015 is shaping up to once again successfully meet the trend at the College – Since the first graduating students in 2007, over 90% of AITC students have graduated with a fulltime apprenticeship. n

2015 starts strongly

PAGE 9

College Leaders are chosen each year for their suitability and commitment to leadership roles

both in the public arena and within the College. This year’s College Leaders and AITC Ambassadors continue to establish themselves as being particularly proficient and competent. Their participation in the personal development aspects of the leadership program is reaping great dividends; their confidence and competence levels are soaring; the initiatives they are beginning to promote are exciting. This group of College Leaders are showcasing the best in of AITC.

College Leaders are involved in a number of activities throughout the year. Some of these activities are:• Speaking, observing and assisting

at Information Evenings where they play a crucial role in promoting the College from a young person’s point of view. They also now travel to the new Redlands campus to assist with the information evenings encouraging prospective students in that region.

• Participating as mentors for new enrolees at the Emu Gully Industry Experience Camps is very positive and highly appreciated by all staff and students alike.

• Assisting staff with the Induction Week for the new enrolments.

• Assisting at sausage sizzles and other fund-raising events as well as running roof shouts where College students are recognised and rewarded for excellence during each module.

• Their participation in significant College events throughout the year has been exemplary with six of the current leadership group enrolling for the Cambodia Project, another is heading for the annual Kokoda Trek in Papua-New Guinea, and a select group of ten outstanding leaders

are heading for a 4-day National Leadership Camp in Sydney.

• The female College Leaders have set up a Girl’s Interest Group (GIG) promoting the well-being and full participation of females at AITC.

• They are also involved in a number of College committees, help as greeters and guides for functions and have the role of ambassadors for promotions and events involving industry groups and the corporate sector.

Many of the AITC College Leaders participate in extra curriculum activities and embrace the AITC brand by showcasing the College colours and values during their trials. Below are examples of College Leaders who are doing us proud outside of the College.

College Leader Jordan Kingham – a high profile go-kart driver with his new vehicle decked out in the AITC colours. After 16 laps of gruelling driving, Jordan finished 11th. A great result considering it was his first time in this class on the Warwick track.

Another College Leader, Michaela Atkinson has entered the Australian Formula Powerboat Grand Prix series for 2015. This series contains 5 rounds of racing done over the country within a 12 month period. She is currently 3rd in the Australian Power boat series for the Formula Future class. We wish her the best and hope she keeps her podium spot on the series ladder for the next three rounds. n

College Leaders - making a difference

PAGE 10

Perched on the shores of Moreton Bay, Redland City is located just 50 minutes north of Surfers Paradise

and boasts a reputation as a gateway to the Moreton Bay Islands with a laid-back coastal lifestyle and spectacular location that is a drawcard for families.

Home to nearly150,000 people, Redland City now has another feature enhancing its attraction as a place where children can grow, develop and prosper: a new campus of the Australian Industry Trade College.

The AITC’s Redlands Campus will open in January 2016 with the College officially announcing its plans at a special Launch held at Sirromet Winery in Mount Cotton on May 7.

AITC CEO, Mark Hands told a group of more than 70 business, education and government leaders that the College was actively seek new opportunities to export its highly successful education model to other Queensland centres.

Mark said Redland City made the per-fect choice, praising local Mayor, Karen Williams and community leaders who have helped to drive the launch of the Redlands campus.

‘In order for our plans for expansion to succeed, we rely on strong leadership and a community willing to back us and Redlands has certainly delivered this,’ Mark said.

He said the AITC had worked for more than 18 months to ensure the Redlands move was the right move for the College.

‘We undertook an intensive due dil-igence process including demographic analyses and discussions with key future partners including community and employer groups.

‘As a result we feel very confident that this is going to be a tremendous move for the College. We are incredibly excited about our plans and have already commenced the process of establishing a concrete presence in the City,’ Mark said.

Mark said that, with the generous sup-port of Redland City Council, the College

had opened up a Contact Centre at the rear of the Redland Performing Art Centre in Middle Street.

The new Redlands Campus prin-cipal, has been employed along with Employment and Recruitment staff.

Key development also include the sourcing of a suitable site for the Campus, to be located in Redland’s business centre, Cleveland where major transport links and key amenities are easily accessed.

The Australian Industry Trade College Redlands Campus will replicate the suc-cessful model of the Robina operation.

Staff and key personnel have already commenced the process of promoting the College with Information Sessions held throughout Redlands and adjoining suburbs in Brisbane.

‘What’s exciting for us is that our loca-tion in Redlands allows us to promote the College to a much wider geographical catchment,’ Mark said.

‘With Redlands located on the Cleveland Line, we believe that we will be recruiting from the Brisbane’s CBD and its south eastern suburbs so we’re really taking the AITC brand to some wonderful new frontiers.

‘Just as we encourage our own young people to do, we’re thinking big and dreaming big. There’s as lot to be excited about,’ he said. n

New horizons as College advances North

(Source: ABS Census 2011) Area: 537.1 km2Estimated Population 2014: 148,641Families: 39,125 Secondary Schoolers: 12,317Persons aged 15-19: 10,172Leading Industry of Employment for people aged 15+: School Education

REDLANDS AT A GLANCE

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The Australian Industry Trade College is very proud of its long association with the Red

Cross Centre at Robina. Since the college began in 2008, hundreds of young people have donated blood and plasma, many for the very first time. Some of the apprentices in high risk professions respect the fact they may need the life saving services of the Red Cross Blood Bank in the future. The AITC notes that many past students have continued to donate long after their time at the college providing an invaluable service to all in the community. n The AITC is proud to be part

of the Gold Coast Schools Connect Program, a part of the

Commonwealth games program. In 2018, Gold Coast youth will play a special role in hosting 6500 athletes and team officials from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories as well as many thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Gold Coast Schools Connect aims to engage and connect with schools on the Gold Coast ensuring the Gold Coast school community is informed, excited, enthusiastic and involved in GC2018. The program includes the opportunity to connect local schools with a

Commonwealth Games Association and a school in a Commonwealth nation or territory. It will also include opportunities for the schools to participate in key GC2018 programs and milestone celebrations. The AITC was proud to be part of the programs launch, especially since AITC apprentices are already working at sites and facilities required for the Games. The launch at Metricon Stadium, Carrarra saluted some of our past Commonwealth Games heroes such as Andrew Baildon, Robert De Castella and Glynis Nunn-Cearns to name but a few.

College leaders Ryan Pollard and Brenna Dadd represented the AITC. n

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The inaugural Industry Quickstart (IQ) Program in 2014 was designed to expose young people in Year 10

to industry, and get them work ready with the skills employers are looking for. The IQ Program was piloted with enthusiastic young people who wanted a “quickstart” into industry. The can-didates were offered the AITC’s broad range of trade opportunities and a spe-cialised academic program over a six months period.

The AITC experience over the past eight years showed that young people needed to trial their trade preferences before committing to a career pathway. The IQ Program with its academic, train-ing and work experience components proved to meet these objectives for young people. Evidence of this suc-cess was apparent with the first sign-ing of Tyler into an Air-conditioning Apprenticeship in January this year – Tyler hadn’t even started Year 11 at the AITC yet!

Tyler initially enrolled at the College wanting to be a plumber. He went out into work experience in plumbing and then tried air conditioning. After his second work experience in air condi-tioning, he decided he would like to pursue this trade. Tyler worked with Joel from JB Air Conditioning all December whilst his classmates were on holidays. Tyler impressed Joel so much he offered him an apprenticeship. He was signed into his apprenticeship on 15th January

2015 becoming the AITC’s first ever IQ apprentice.

Brayden is another young person who successfully completed the IQ program. Brayden joined the IQ Program wanting to be a boat builder. He trialled work experience in marine mechanic, land-scaping and carpentry and then on his own initiative, organised an interview with Blue Fin Boats. Brayden worked at Blue Fin during all December and January. He impressed Brad from Blue Fin Boats so much that he was signed up into a School Based Apprenticeship in February. Brad wants Brayden to learn

all aspects of manufacturing a boat from cut out, welding to fit-out. Brayden’s family were impressed how smoothly it all came together with all parties involved. n

Successful Industry Quickstart (IQ) Program forges new careers

PAGE 13

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Gandhi.

A lot is written about youth angst and displays of aggression, however the tools needed to

help them deal with anger, their own and other peoples, is not very often addressed. One of the most important aspects of empowering a child to deal with anger is to teach them to forgive

and manage their emotions. Being able to forgive also makes a child more resilient and helps them to balance their cognitive, emotional and social skills as they develop in to contributing members of society.

“New studies show that there are concrete and long-lasting benefits to forgiving, including reduced stress, improved physical health, and better relationships,” says Richard Fitzgibbons, M.D., a Philadelphia-area psychiatrist.

5 foundations of forgiveness1. Name the transgression. Get the

young person to name the experience they are feeling angry about and who or what they cannot forgive.

2. Explore their Feelings. Teach children empathy so they are able to forgive, explain that sometimes people are aggressive and angry because they have suffered someone being aggressive to

them and they don’t know how to express themselves in another way.

3. Ready to forgive. A person is ready to forgive when they don’t want to experience those feelings of anger, frustration, resentment or guilt anymore.

4. Let it all go. When they are ready to forgive explain to them that it must be genuine and heartfelt if they are to feel better and be able to move on. Be an example.

5. The way of the world. When young people become more aware of the world around them and see the struggles of others they find it easier to forgive. Show them some exzmples.

“Kids need to learn that it’s okay to be angry,” says Dr. Fitzgibbons, “but that staying angry for a long time can be harmful.”

Writer Helen Splarn. Source: Pyschology Today. Kidsmatter. n

5 Tips for forgiveness: empowering adolescents to deal with anger

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Many young people do not look forward to studying English when they first come to the

AITC. Their past experiences of the subject often include study of topics like poetry and Shakespeare, so they are generally not convinced that Senior English is relevant to their trade. However, the AITC English Team takes pride in making our curriculum interesting, meaningful and relevant.

What’s English like at the AITC? Here’s how young people answered this question:

Jake A. and Jamie: It’s interesting, chal-lenging and relevant.Jemma and Jordan: I like how the English units are hands on and are inter-esting to learn about. The modules are relevant to issues we face in this world. It’s good there’s always a choice of topics and you can focus on extending your knowl-edge in your trade.Connor, Bailey and Travis: Surprisingly, we learn a lot in English in a short amount of time. Even though it’s English, it’s more

hands on learning and more engaging than regular English.Sam and Casey: English here sets you up for your future at work. Adele, Emily and Lauren: English can be a challenge because there’s a lot of work to do but you have good teachers here who support you and go the extra mile to help you achieve your goals.Sam and Alex B.: English is all relevant to your trade and helping you further your knowledge. It’s helpful in life. Even when the topic is about things like global issues, it helps you become a good person and teaches you to be respectful of others and to help out those who have less than us.

Isaac D. and Lincoln: English here gives you life skills instead of Shakespeare poems. The work is relevant to your future because not many people want to be a poet!Monique: I like English here because we study real life issues and it’s interesting to study things that are happening in today’s society.Greg and Brad: English is good here because all the work is online so you can move ahead. You’re always learning what you need to, not extra stuff.

Isaac L. and Liam: English here can make you more independent because it can be self-paced. Although you can get help, you don’t have to rely on the teachers to move on.Joel and Ryan: There’s a lot of English to do in a short time here but you can always relate it to what you want to do in the future. The work is on your shoulders and it’s your responsibility to do it but that’s good because it puts you in control of your own job and your own outcomes.Jake M. and Kyle: You learn a lot more in English here than at other schools. Everything is relevant and you don’t waste your time. Every minute you spend in English contributes to your future trade. It’s based around your interests and trade, so you put more interest and effort in and you learn a lot more.Corey: Here in English the topics are about real life and not Shakespeare. It’s easier to stay motivated because the work is about your trade or a topic you’re interested in.Tenai, Dayna and Shannon: The English teachers we’ve had here have given us lots of support to achieve the grades we want. They won’t accept work that isn’t our best and they’ll help us to always succeed. n

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Reflections on English

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