1. Experiencing the workforce
By KIRSTY DAVIS
Sept. 10, 2014, 9 a.m.
GRADUATION: Eight Alternative Learning Centre students recently completed a
work experience program. At the graduation were (from left) Career Employment
Group practitioner and special programs coordinator Baerbel McDougall, Alternative
Learning Centre social worker Carly Benfell, E & A Contractors workshop manager
Hoss Brice, participants Nathan Appleton, Jake Freeth and Classic Health manager
and personal trainer Steve Lines.
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Eight students have just graduated from a work experience program.
The program was run collaboratively between Career Employment Group (CEG) and
the Alternative Learning Centre (ALC) and aimed to expose students to the
workforce.
ALC social worker Carly Benfell said the program was broken down into three
elements; self-development, career development and work experience.
"The students were required to undertake work experience as well as complete a
work experience journal," she said.

2. "Each of the students face their own unique barriers, so this program aimed to help
provide them with work ready skills so they can go on and be successful in the
future."
Many of the students opted to undertake work experience with employers in their
ideal fields, while some wanted to explore their options.
Ms Benfell said ALC and CEG helped to provide the students with adequate
resources for completing the work experience from PPE to taxi vouchers.
Career Employment Group practitioner and special programs coordinator Baerbel
McDougall said the students were informed of the honour completing work
experience was.
"We emphasised to the students how much of an opportunity and an honour it was to
be entering this workplace," she said.
"WE'RE HAPPY TO DO MORE PROGRAMS LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE, IT WAS
REALLY SUCCESSFUL AND HELPED THE STUDENTS WITH INTERVIEW
SKILLS AND RESUMES, IT WAS VERY INTERACTIVE AND ALLOWED THEM A
PROPER LOOK INTO THE WORKFORCE."- ALC SOCIAL WORKER CARLY
BENFELL
"Employers don't have to accept work experience students; it is a privilege to take
part in it."
Ms Benfell said great feedback had been received from both the employers and the
students.
"It went really well, we received some great feedback from each of the employers,"
she said.
"The feedback we received from the students was that they really enjoyed the
opportunity."
A graduation was held on Monday, September 8 where each participant presented to
the class what they did at their workplace and what they enjoyed the most.
Participant Nathan Appleton went to E & A Contractors to look into the welding and
boiler making industry while Jake Freeth went to Classic Health Gym where he learnt
about gym equipment, nutrition and the admin side or the business.

3. Other students attended Whyalla Aged Care, Whyalla Hospital Dr Jones and
Partners Medical Imaging at the Whyalla hospital, Whyalla Players and McLeods
Whyalla Motor Company.
Ms Benfell said ALC would look to conduct similar work experience programs in the
near future.
"We're happy to do more programs like this in the future, it was really successful and
helped the students with interview skills and resumes, it was very interactive and
allowed them a proper look into the workforce," she said.