Taster Courses and Try-A-Trade Days: Why Early Exposure Matters
In education, timing is everything. By the time students reach Year 10, they’re often asked to make subject choices that will shape their future pathways — yet many still don’t fully understand their options. This is especially true when it comes to Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS). That’s why early exposure through taster courses and try-a-trade days in Years 8 and 9 is not just helpful — it’s essential.
Early engagement in vocational learning has the power to spark interest, build confidence, and guide students towards informed, meaningful choices when it matters most.
Demystifying VET
Many students — and parents — hold outdated perceptions of VET. It’s often seen as a “plan B” or something only for students who aren’t “academic.” Taster courses and practical introduction days challenge this thinking by showcasing the breadth and depth of vocational pathways.
These early experiences show students that VET can lead to diverse, high-demand careers across industries like healthcare, business, hospitality, construction, digital media, and more. They also demonstrate that vocational learning is engaging, hands-on, and highly relevant to the real world.
Making Informed Decisions
Choosing senior subjects without understanding what they involve can lead to disengagement or regret. Taster courses allow students to explore a variety of fields before making long-term commitments.
By participating in short, practical sessions — from cooking in a commercial kitchen to coding a basic website or testing out tools in a trade workshop — students get a real feel for what vocational learning looks like. They can test their interests, discover strengths, and eliminate options that don’t appeal to them.
This self-awareness empowers students to make more confident and informed decisions when selecting VETDSS courses in Years 10 to 12.
Boosting Engagement and Retention
Hands-on learning can reignite motivation, particularly for students who don’t connect with traditional academic subjects. By introducing VET concepts early, schools create a broader definition of success and give students multiple pathways to achievement.
Early exposure often leads to higher VET enrolments in senior years and better retention. Students who discover a passion for practical work early on are more likely to stick with it and see it through to qualification completion.
Encouraging Equity and Access
Taster days are also a powerful tool for inclusion. They create equal opportunities for all students — regardless of background or academic performance — to explore VET pathways.
For students from underrepresented groups, including girls in trades or culturally and linguistically diverse learners, these experiences can challenge stereotypes and open doors they hadn’t considered. They send a clear message: VET is for everyone.
Making It Happen
Schools can work with RTOs, local industry partners, and TAFE institutes to deliver engaging, age-appropriate taster programs. These might include:
- Rotational “VET discovery days” across multiple industries
- Try-a-trade workshops during career expos
- Short courses or micro-credentials for Year 8 and 9 students
- School-based enterprise or project-based learning experiences
The goal is not to lock students into a career, but to inspire curiosity and broaden horizons.
Final Thoughts
Early exposure to VET isn’t about pushing students into a single direction — it’s about giving them the tools to explore, understand, and choose their own path. When students experience the relevance and excitement of vocational learning early on, they are far more likely to pursue it with confidence in later years.
Engagement doesn’t start in Year 11. It starts in Year 8 — with a spark, a question, and the chance to try something new.
If you’re interested in a taster program, let’s start the conversation.