MAKING the right career choice and determining your pathway to get there can be a difficult decision for many high school students.

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These life changing choices are being made a little easier for Woolgoolga High School students, thanks to a NSW Department of Education program launched at the school this year.

The school was one of four high schools in the Coffs Harbour and Clarence Valley regions chosen to benefit from the NSW Government Educational Pathways Pilot Program (EPPP).

Five clusters of NSW schools are involved in the program, including three clusters in South Western Sydney, one in Northern NSW and the Grafton Cluster of Woolgoolga High School, South Grafton High School, Grafton High School and Maclean High School.

Careers Head Teacher for the Grafton Cluster of schools David Youman said the program was a great opportunity for Woolgoolga High School students.

“Our purpose is to prepare young people for rewarding lives, and the program is creating opportunities for those students whose path lies outside going to university,” Mr Youman said.

To date, Woolgoolga High School students have participated in fun interactive full day workshops to get them job-ready, online careers webinars, a virtual careers expo, and school staff associated with the program have strengthened the pathways between school, training and employment, making the transition from school to further study and employment much easier for the students.

The pilot program features ten streams which focus on enhanced careers advice, increasing the number of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, and supporting disadvantaged and disengaged students.

The program was created in response to poor choices made by young people in their career pathways.

Its aim is to transform the way students and parents think about post-school options and future careers, and ensure high school students leave school independent and well prepared for higher education, training or work.

The innovative program will continue at Woolgoolga High School until the end of 2021.

Further information on the pilot program including careers information videos, fact sheets and episodes of EPPP TV can be found at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/career-and-study-pathways/educational-pathways-pilot-program.

By Emma DARBIN