Experience the
world of work

Experience for Work


The Experience for Work platform aims to provide young people with opportunities to explore and connect to the world of work through work experience.

So where do you start? Some of your friends might have already worked out what they want to do but if you don’t know – that’s ok. Developing a career is not something that will just happen instantly. Also, no-one else can choose a career for you. You have to make it happen for yourself.

Work experience can be a great way to explore the world of work and below are some of the benefits of work experiences:

  • An understanding of the work environment and what employers expect
  • The chance to 'try out' a workplace
  • Increased motivation to continue study and/or undertake further training
  • An introduction to workplace recruitment practices
  • Enhanced opportunities for part-time and casual employment
  • Opportunities to develop work-related skills and competencies
  • Finding out what you like and don’t like doing
  • Finding out what were you good at

Experience for Work can assist you to find what suits you best at this time of your life and aims to provide you the best opportunity to follow this passion.

Experience for Work also aims to provide practical support to assist young people by providing connections to various skills and knowledge development resources along with information about support available in the Geelong Region.

School to Work

  • Work Experience - Work experience is the short-term placement of Years 9 or 10 school students with employers.
  • Structure Workplace Learning (SWL) - The portal helps school students find work placements and promotes opportunities for them to learn more about the world of work.
  • Head Start Barwon - Head Start is the School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBATs) program that supports secondary school students to succeed while they study and work towards a career.

Career and Training Services

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Below is a list of organisations that provide information and support about becoming an apprentice or trainee

Support Available

Local Support

  • Schools to Industry Online Resources - School to Industry is an e-book developed by the GRLLEN to assist students as they enter the world of work.
  • Gordon Skills and Jobs Centre - Free career and employment transition service for Gordon students and the Geelong and Wyndham regions.
  • Learn Local - Learn Local courses can help you get the skills you need for study, work and life.
  • Northern Futures - Delivers tailored education and employment opportunities in collaboration with industry, community and government.
  • RISE (Regional Industry Sector Employment Geelong) - A construction industry skills program that prepares job seekers for a career in the building industry.
  • WCIG - Offers employment, disability, youth and training services across Geelong and Melbourne.

General Support

  • Jobs Victoria Career Counsellor Services - Career Counsellors provide personalised career guidance to Victorians who are looking for work, are underemployed, unsure of what to do or who are working but looking for a career change.
  • Career Bullseyes - Allows you to start exploring career pathways by selecting a learning area you enjoy.
  • National Careers Institute - Getting school students ready for work - Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government.
  • Jumpstart Jobs - Resources and activities to help you work out what jobs might suit you.
  • My Future - Provides resources to explore career pathways and tools to develop self-knowledge to help with career decision-making.
  • Youth Central - Youth Central is the Victorian Government's website for young people aged 12-25.