What does a career in commercial painting look like? What goes on behind the scenes at a major corporate office? And what other opportunities are out there that you might never have considered?
Three senior Victorian Clontarf Academy students, Malakai, Jhye and Ryan, had the chance to find out when Programmed welcomed them for Melbourne Work Experience Week.
The initiative gives Clontarf Academy students access to career and life experiences they might not otherwise have in their hometowns. The week kicked off with an Opening Breakfast on the Yarra River, where students met with employer partners before heading off to their placements.
One of the highlights was a visit to the MCG, where the students spent time with Programmed’s Property Services Commercial Painting team. After a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, they got to try their hand at painting tasks and learn more about careers in the trades.
Next was a visit to ANZ’s head office in Docklands, where Programmed’s National Account Manager showed the students around. They also saw how Programmed’s Electrical Technologies team delivers audiovisual and electrical solutions across the ANZ workplace.
The students then visited Programmed’s own head office, meeting employees from different parts of the business and discovering career opportunities they might not have known existed.
To wrap up the week, Malakai, Jhye and Ryan presented what they’d learned to the Programmed team and shared their aspirations for the future. It was also a chance to practise their public speaking skills and reflect on the experience.
For students who haven’t had much exposure to different workplaces, opportunities like these can make a difference. They get to meet people working in different industries, try new things and start thinking about where their own interests might take them.
The Clontarf Foundation supports young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to stay engaged in education and pursue employment opportunities. Experiences like Melbourne Work Experience Week are one way that support comes to life.
Interested in organising work experience opportunities for your students?
Programmed works with schools and community organisations to help introduce young people to different industries and career pathways.
Explore Programmed on Explore Careers or contact your local Programmed branch to discuss work experience opportunities for the year ahead.
