ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

The EPP’s strength lies in the diversity of its initiatives and the way they work together to create career paths for students. A great example is Year 10 student Savya from Bonnyrigg High School, who began exploring industries through 2 TAFE NSW Start Your Future courses in beauty and nursing.

Fuelled by her interest in the beauty industry, Savya then went on a tour of the local Evolution Laser Clinic, facilitated by the Innovating Careers ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø initiative. This led to work experience at the clinic, and then onto a school-based traineeship at the same employer, thanks to the support from her SBAT Engagement Officer.

More highlights from 2025

• The addition of the Northern Beaches region being piloted under a new delivery model has allowed a bespoke program response to local industry needs, particularly in critical skills such as construction. This launch was marked by a visit from the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, Steve Whan, at Forest High School.

• Regional roundtables were held in Armidale, Tamworth, Inverell, and Narrabri, strengthening collaboration between schools, TAFE NSW and local employers.

• Across all initiatives, the program has seen robust student participation numbers and innovative approaches to inclusivity and equity, including targeted support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disability, and those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Initiative highlights

Innovating Careers ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø

Led by Head Teacher Careers, the Innovating Careers ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø initiative engaged more than 24,500 students through targeted programs in the first 3 terms of 2025. Additionally, more than 700 staff members participated in Careers Immersion Team meetings. The program also hosted 71 parent and carer information sessions, to help them better understand subject choices and career pathways available at school.

Standout activities through the year focused on;

Supporting students with disability, such as the inclusive subject selection sessions held in Bega, Eden and Batemans Bay.

• Creating opportunities for students with English as a second language or dialect (EALD) to build confidence and job readiness. A great example came out of the Dress for Success program for students at Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus.
• Creating culturally safe learning opportunities, such as the exchange program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Illawarra, Lightning Ridge and Moree school groups, offering On Country experiences and employer/industry visits.
• Critical skills-focused initiatives, such as the Digital Immersion program for the Upper Hunter school group where students spent 2 days in Sydney, visiting tech giants like Google, and the Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics program where students from the Central Coast North group gained hands-on experience with industrial robotics and AI-driven systems.

Enhancing SBAT Engagement

The NSW Public ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Awards saw the SBAT Engagement Officer team celebrated for their successful year; winning the Secretary’s Award for Living Our Values – Excellence for their outstanding work. Secretary Murat Dizdar commended the team for driving a 19% increase in participation in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) and for their role in reshaping perceptions of student success. Additionally, SBAT Engagement Officer Merran Wiggins received the Secretary’s Award for Living Our Values – Equity.

From the more than 1,500 students (as at 29 September 2025) who enrolled in SBATs this year, there are countless success stories, with 2 Year 11 students from Erina High offering a great example. Both are completing school-based apprenticeships in renewable energy and working towards a Certificate III in Electrotechnology. These students are the EPP’s first Net Zero SBATs, opening pathways in the critical skills areas needed for the future of jobs across our state.

TAFE NSW Start Your Future

The taster vocational courses offered through this initiative continue to be popular with students - an important step in helping them find their direction. This year, more than 6,000 students completed Start Your Future courses in the first 3 terms of 2025, and the program continues to see students transitioning into further training or SBATs.

From a group of 13 students in Armidale who completed a taster course in late 2024, 8 have now enrolled in either a TVET course or a school-based traineeship (SBT) in the health industry. One student from Uralla Central School spoke at the Armidale roundtable, highlighting the Start Your Future course as an important step and key factor in their SBAT application.

Job Readiness Workshops

2025 saw the launch of newly developed Job Readiness Workshops, offering a choice of 4 different modules, to better meet the needs of schools and students. Delivered by Head Teachers Careers, over 180 sessions reached almost 3,000 students by the end of Term 3.

The Northern Beaches group of schools ran 6 workshops in Term 3 alone, and have already noticed a strong flow on of students showing interest in TAFE NSW Start Your Future programs and career pathways through SBATs and vocational education and training (VET) courses.

ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøal Pathways VET Ambassadors

The ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøal Pathways VET Ambassadors engaged more than 1,500 students in the first 3 terms, including 2 roadshows on the Mid-North Coast and North West NSW, connecting with students in EPP regional and remote schools.

2025 also saw the first SBAT digital forum, a joint project with the Enhancing SBAT Engagement initiative, aimed at parents and carers. With no limitations of location, parents across the state had the opportunity to learn more about SBATs, the support offered through the EPP, and to hear directly from Ambassadors and SBAT Engagement Officers.

Joining the cohort of Ambassadors in 2025 is a current EPP student, Lane Williams. Completing his Certificate III in Screen and Media at Ulladulla High School. Lane will add a unique perspective of real-time experience.

Apprenticeship and Traineeship Head Start

With more than 640 students participating in Head Start courses across 8 vocations by the end of Term 3, this initiative has helped students gain industry experience, work experience opportunities and units of competency (UoC), that can be transferred to SBATs or traineeships and apprenticeships.

Year 12 student Harmony Etule was recently awarded SBAT of the Year at the Apprentice Employment Networking NSW & ACT (AEN) Awards. In Year 10, Harmony completed an Engineering pre-apprenticeship Head Start course, facilitated by Group Training Organisation (GTO) HunterNet, paving the way for her school-based apprenticeship as a Fitter Machinist. Full-time employment is also an option for students completing a Head Start course, with 12 transitioning to full time apprenticeships this year.

Back in the Game

Through its network of 10 local providers, the Back in the Game initiative supported more than 940 students with personalised support during the first 3 terms 2025, helping them re-engage with school or successfully transition to training or employment.

One student from Lightning Ridge, facing challenges relating to remoteness and financial hardship, received targeted support through local provider Skillset. Support included financial assistance to complete their driver’s licence test and a lifesaving course, opening the door to work experience opportunities and a boost in confidence to enter the workforce.

TAFE NSW Early School Leavers

Focused support helped hundreds of students remain engaged across 2025. Each young person has a unique story and barriers to education and for a student in Nowra, those barriers came from living independently.

Through the support of the initiative and guidance from a Student Support Officer at his local TAFE campus, he received a scholarship to assist with his study and training. He then enrolled in a Certificate II in Construction and secured a job at Bunnings.

Looking back at what the EPP has achieved in just one year, there is a lot to be excited about for 2026 and beyond. With ongoing funding secured, the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøal Pathways Program will continue to deepen its impact and build a more skilled and confident future workforce.