In Summary

  • The program is aimed at students enrolled in Year 11
  • Recognises activities such as volunteer work, club or society participation 
  • Helps students prepare for employment, further study or other pursuits

Swinburne has launched a new program to help get secondary school students career ready.

The Swinburne Early Leaders Program rewards secondary students that show enthusiasm and outstanding achievement in areas outside their studies.

The assessed program recognises many of the activities students are already involved in such as volunteer work, club or society participation and school projects.

Preparing for employment and further study

During the program, students will identify, catalogue and articulate their learning experiences, guiding them to recognise their own unique strengths and attributes.

This will help students prepare for applications for employment, further study or other pursuits.

Professor Glen Bates, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Engagement), says the initiative is an extension of the Swinburne Advantage, designed to give undergraduate students access to practical workplace experiences and career development opportunities.

“The Swinburne Early Leaders program demonstrates our commitment to employability by extending our initiatives to not just undergraduate students, but secondary students as well,” Professor Bates says.

“By helping secondary students to articulate their skills to potential employers we hope to maximise their employability and potential for career success.”

The program is aimed at students enrolled in Year 11 and is made up of four categories that are designed to challenge a student’s knowledge and skill within a chosen area:

  • Research/Academic skills (core)
  • Career Development skills (core)
  • Creativity (elective)
  • Community engagement (elective)

Each category has requirements that students must meet in order to demonstrate their skillset. They will also need to create links between these activities and the skills that are required for further study and employment.

Swinburne Emerging Leaders Program

On completion, students will receive recognition from Swinburne in the form of a certificate and credit towards the Swinburne Emerging Leaders Program, which is for current Swinburne Students.

The Emerging Leaders Program recognises Swinburne students’ achievements both within and outside their academic program. The outcome is noted on their degree transcript and can help students be competitive in the job market.