Gerringong Public School students experienced unique work opportunities using virtual reality technology. Photos: DET.
Gerringong primary students have had a hands-on taste of incredible careers, from heart surgery to hairdressing, without even leaving the school grounds, as a virtual reality experience opened the doors to what their future could hold.
Through a pair of VR goggles, students at Gerringong Public School discovered work experiences and opportunities that could shape their educational pathway during a unique career workshop.
“From open-heart surgery to driving forklifts, marine biology and swimming with dolphins and sharks — it’s been quite incredible what they’ve actually witnessed today,” Gerringong Public School principal Kristie Goldthorp said.
The Year 5 and 6 students used immersive technology to gain rare insights into industries or careers that may otherwise have been impossible to experience.
The up-close and hands-on simulation created an exciting opportunity to try something new, such as driving a car or flying a plane, as well as further explore areas the children were interested in, including hairdressing.
“If you try something you think you can’t do, it can actually turn out to be really fun and really cool,” student Tyler Hartley said.
Fellow student Cahaya McInnes said: “I thought it was really fun and I got to experience things that I’ve never experienced before and also some skills for the future.
“I think I might be a hairdresser when I’m older, so I also like to experience those things.”
The educational experience also allowed students to chat further with local industry leaders, including from Bee Inspired, Kiama Council, NSW Fire and Rescue and Gerringong Surf Life Saving, to see what careers could be possible right in their own backyard.
The youngsters also participated in job-readiness activities, learnt about workplace expectations, employability skills and future pathways, including apprenticeships and traineeships.
“It’s just to open up their eyes and empower students that doing any sort of experience is beneficial for their career learning and later on in life,” Educational Pathways Program head teacher Drew Cairncross said.
“The purpose is to open young people’s eyes and realise that it’s not just in high school that career education starts.
“We all know that career learning goes on for all of our lives, and sometimes the younger students get left out a little bit.”
And while most of the students won’t be making decisive moves about their careers for a few years to come, the early exposure also helped them to understand more about the purpose and path of their educational journey.
Ms Goldthorp said: “This is really the ‘why’ — why do we come to school every day? It’s because we actually want to have a really good opportunity down the track and in the future.
“Having those strong links and then knowing what’s out there as a career choice really gives meaning to what they’re learning in a classroom and connects what’s happening.”
