Professional development for teachers
Rangitoto College - creating a careers team in a large school
- Rangitoto College set up a team of careers leaders from across the school
As part of the CPaBL initiative, Rangitoto College established a team of careers leaders drawn from each of the 18 curriculum areas. The team's role is to:
- help distribute career information more effectively to students and teachers
- raise the profile of career education within the college
- support a school-wide approach to career education
- encourage departments to become more involved in career-related activities
- increase teachers' awareness and knowledge of career pathways
- develop stronger school-wide links with other departments and careers staff.
Key features of the careers leaders
The concept was presented at a meeting with heads of department (HODs). After the meeting, each HOD selected a person to represent their department in the team of careers leaders. The team's work involves:
- meeting each term to discuss and share ideas
- taking responsibility for managing and communicating careers information
- participating in professional development activities related to career development
- being a point of contact for careers staff and teacher/student enquiries
- developing a broad overview of what students need to get into or access post-school options
- setting up career information displays in each curriculum area.
Benefits for students
- Careers concepts are included over a range of learning areas.
- Students have improved access to careers information.
- Teachers are better informed and more able to assist and guide students.
Benefits for both staff and students
- Better access to careers information across the school.
- More people involved and taking responsibility for distributing and acting on information.
- Increased awareness of career information and events.
- Enables students and teachers to make connections between school and future opportunities.
