Awards for Excellence in Work Placement

30-08-2009

On Wednesday 19th August in the Grand Ballroom of The Epping Club, the Hills and Hornsby communities celebrated the 8th Annual Hills Schools Industry Partnership (HillsSIP) Awards for Excellence in Work Placement. Present at the event were award winners and their families, school representatives and a variety of business and community guests.

Over the last year over 2000 students completing the Vocational Education Training (VET) and TAFE Vocational Educational Training (TVET) framework courses as part of their HSC, have been placed by HillsSIP in Work Placement. The students came from 27 schools across the Hills and Hornsby areas and are completing 21 different courses in 11 VET frameworks. Work placement has offered students the opportunity to gain insights into the everyday workings of business and industry, whilst giving employers the chance to identify future talent.

HillsSIP Executive Officer Caroline Gardner in thanking local employers for their support declared that “when young people are given expert guidance and personal mentoring by employers they excel beyond expectation and knock us out with their results.”

Students from 10 schools and 2 TAFE colleges were awarded for their performances in work placement. Castle Hill High students were awarded in three of the 12 categories.

The significance of Work placement programs was further enhanced by the catering and events management efforts of students from Arden Anglican School at Epping. Through the Adopt a School Program, the Epping Club and Arden School have come together to work on many aspects of the Awards Night Event. Year 11 hospitality students, under the mentoring and guidance of Epping Club managers, staff and Debbie Joannides their hospitality teacher, were involved in planning, organisation, cooking and set up of Event. On the night itself the 150 guests dined on a variety of mouth watering cocktail foods hand crafted and served by the Students under the attentive guidance of Executive Chef Bikky Ahluwalia.

Arden’s Deputy Principal Fran Fleeton, said that “the students really stepped up” and “they were part of an affirming experience that gave them great confidence to achieve.” This partnership between Arden, The Epping Club and HillsSIP was a first for the area, giving student’s a unique opportunity to combine school based learning with workplace training.

The Club’s CEO Peter Saez said “we are a large local employer and it’s great that local families and upcoming hospitality professionals can have a bird’s eye view into the efficient operation we run.”

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