A WELL-ROUNDED secondary education is the perfect fit for a whole range of exciting career options, according to Nicole Everett.
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The young businesswoman is one of 24 people to champion the benefits of completing high school in a new booklet launched in Warrnambool yesterday.
The Why Year 12? booklet has been compiled by South West Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) to reinforce the message that completing secondary studies or a vocational equivalent is essential for future career success.
Ms Everett graduated from Cobden Technical School in 2009 and went on to study custom-made footwear at Melbourne’s RMIT University.
“I knew I wanted to work in shoe design after year 11 work experience,” the 21-year-old said.
“During a tour at RMIT, we visited the footwear room and I knew straight away that was where I wanted to study and eventually work in that industry.”
Ms Everett now works as a designer at Pacific Brands where she is at the forefront of creating shoes for brands such as Sachi and Julius Marlow.
Warrnambool hairdressing apprentice Melinda Brown also features in the 48-page booklet alongside people from a variety of careers including education, agriculture, administration, catering and information technology.
Ms Brown has undertaken several courses at South West TAFE and was recognised as the institute’s 2013 hairdressing apprentice of the year.
“It’s just so important to complete VCE no matter what sort of job you’re looking for because you have more options to work with,” the 21-year-old said.
South West LLEN chief executive Toni Jenkins said the booklet was about empowering young people to make informed choices about their education.
“Thinking about future pathways at a young age is important and we’re trying to encourage families to value education,” she said.
“It is never too early to start thinking about the future and what a young person can do to influence the pathway that they take.”
alex.sinnott@fairfaxmedia.com.au