Careers News
Recent News and Events
Young Eyes Festival - 24 September 2025
Three of our students — Jordan Hoogendoorn, Tahlia Macey, and Lily Pham — took part in the Young Eyes Festival, bringing their innovative business ideas into the spotlight. Along with them, fourteen Year 9 & 10 students joined as spectators, gaining firsthand exposure to entrepreneurship in action.
- Jordan Hoogendoorn presented Keeperbot, an AI-powered goalkeeping machine. Jordan pitched how this technology could help elevate performance and support soccer playing in training from grassroots to elite level.
- Tahlia Macey introduced LipLink, a multipurpose cosmetic product combining lip gloss, lip balm, and lip liner. Her idea demonstrated strong product design thinking and appeal in both function and marketability.
- Lily Pham shared Housing Hope, a social initiative aimed at supporting female victims of domestic violence by providing access to tiny homes. Lily’s pitch was focused on social impact, safety, and dignity in housing solutions.
Students listened to many pitches from participants across the Illawarra, experiencing speed-pitching sessions and mentor feedback. They observed how ideas were refined, delivered, and judged under pressure, which gave them insight into what it takes to develop a viable product or social venture.
Overall, the day was inspiring:
- It allowed our students to test their public speaking, creativity, and innovation skills in front of real business leaders.
- They gained perspective on what makes a pitch stand out — not just the idea, but clarity, passion, and feasibility.
- The mentorship and networking offered gave them ideas and motivation, whether they are leaning toward business, social impact, or creative enterprise.
BlueScope Steelworks Tour - 19 September 2025
Last week, students had the opportunity to take part in the BlueScope Steelworks Industry Tour, gaining a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s largest manufacturing operations.
The day began at the Visitor Centre with a safety briefing and fitting of PPE before boarding the tour bus to explore the vast Port Kembla Steelworks site. Students experienced:
- Seeing massive machinery and infrastructure up close, from locomotives to raw material stockpiles.
- Feeling the heat inside the Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) plant as they watched molten steel being transformed.
Observing the continuous slab caster, getting front-row views of steel being shaped into slabs. - Finishing at the Hot Strip Mill, where they watched slabs being rolled into coils in a fast-paced, high-energy process.
The tour gave students a first-hand understanding of the full steelmaking process — from raw materials to finished product — and insight into the scale, technology, and career opportunities within the steel industry.
Silverdale Illawarra Industry Exploration Tour - 16 September 2025
Recently, students participated in the Silverdale Illawarra Industry Exploration Tour, gaining first-hand insight into the wide range of careers in the equine industry.
The day began with an early departure, taking students to training stables, where they learned about the daily routines, facilities, and roles involved in preparing racehorses. Students then visited Kembla Grange Racecourse, discovering the many different jobs that keep one of NSW’s premier racetracks running smoothly.
A highlight of the day was the visit to a world-class bloodstock breeding farm, where students observed broodmares, foals, and yearlings, while learning about the breeding process and preparation of young horses for their racing careers.
Throughout the tour, students met industry experts, hearing their personal career journeys and gaining valuable advice about training pathways, industry traineeships, and the wide variety of job opportunities available.
The experience gave students a realistic and inspiring look at the equine industry, encouraging them to think about future careers in racing, breeding, training, and related fields.
Attention Female Job Seekers - Dress for Success
Dress for Success Illawarra provides free, practical workshops designed to help women gain confidence and secure employment. Our Get the Job session covers essential job-seeking skills, including resume tips, interview techniques, and workplace presentation, tailored to support women entering or re-entering the workforce.
These two-hour workshops are designed to empower women with essential skills for acing their next interview. The key topics covered include:
- First Impressions
- Interview Preparation
- Communication and Presentation Skills
- And include a styling session including a free outfit.
During the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to discuss and practice effective techniques for interview success.
To book into a workshop visit https://calendly.com/dfsnswact-illawarra/get-the-job-workshop
Please note that there is a minimum number per group of 3 and maximum of 10.
If you have any questions please email Illawarra@dfsnswact.org or call us on 0473 875 338.
SBAT Opportunities - Construction Sciences
Construction Sciences in Oak Flats is offering 2 x SBAT positions for 2026. The qualification for these opportunities is:
Certificate III in Laboratory Skills – MSL30122
If you students are interested, they will need to complete Work Experience beforehand. This can be arranged through Mr Morley.
Construction Sciences is a long-standing employer, committed to training and supporting local high school students. Highly recommend female students to apply for these roles.