Food, Fibre & Timber Industries Training Council (WA) Inc

Great article from The Conversation.

"We desperately need skilled workers. So why is vocational education treated as the ‘back‑up plan’ for school leavers?"

For those of you who have worked in the VET sector for a while, you would have been annoyed when people talked about going to university as being 'superior' than doing a VET qualification. Even though you know that the majority of occupations out there are supported by VET qualifications (in fact, written for those occupations).

So, its good to read an article that is pro-VET and explains why it is important. We need more articles like this - because there are still so many misconceptions out there about VET being the 'poor cousin' to Universities.

When it comes to life after Year 12, the media and schools tend to focus on ATARs and university study.

👉 Read the article: https://theconversation.com/we-desperately-need-skilled-workers-so-why-is-vocational-education-treated-as-the-back-up-plan-for-school-leavers-284649

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Today is National Sorry Day – a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. This day marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, which runs from May 27 to June 3.

It’s a time to reflect on how we can contribute to reconciliation.

The FFTITC wants to continue the discussions that were had at our recent “Skills on Country” forum where the theme was strengthening Indigenous connection to careers and supporting those working with First Nations young people in WA as they move towards graduation and transition into meaningful work and training pathways.

Future forums are being planned, and we look forward to bringing people together and fostering stronger connections. To read more about the forum, please click below to access the report.

While we can’t remove the trauma experienced by the families of the Stolen Generation, we hope to be able to contribute to young First Nation people having exciting career choices and obtaining meaningful employment.

To read the outcomes of the forum.
https://www.fftitc.com.au/single-post/forum-summary-building-pathways-together-skills-on-country-forum-inspires-connection-and-action

If you are a young person and want to travel the world, learn about sustainability and shape the future of either the agricultural or horticulture industry then this scholarship is for you!!

🧳 $9,000 to travel, networking and professional development opportunites + coaching.

🌎 The Global Footprints Scholarship are for people who are Vocational Education and Training (VET) trained in agriculture, horticulture or a trade; have a passion for sustainability in their industry, and a bright vision for Australia’s future.

Applications close 1 June, so not much time to submit.

See your industry from a different perspective.

New places. New ideas. New connections. New opportunities.

Apply at globalfootprints.org.

Still celebrating National Careers Week – we thought we’d highlight one of the many careers in the Agrifood sector – Our Career Spotlight is the Ag Tech Specialist

A day in the life of an Ag Tech Specialist can be varied from installing GPS guidance systems on machinery in the morning, flying drones to monitor crop health by midday, and analysing farm data or troubleshooting software remotely in the afternoon. To download the PDF Brochure + other brochures, please go to our website to our Career Information Hub https://www.fftitc.com.au/handy-info-resources-1

Here's our latest Nimble News. We are celebrating National Careers Week, as well as including information on new research, reports, events and news articles. We hope you enjoy.

https://mailchi.mp/97adf36597df/fftitc-nimble-news-13-may-2026

If you want to subscribe to our Nimble News, please click here. https://tinyurl.com/24tb9af5

FFTITC's Nimble News - It's National Careers Week + other highlights, new reports, announcements and events. 👏 👏 👏 To our "CAREER PRACTITIONERS".... who enthusiastically provide career information and services to young people, job seekers, career changers and people returning to work, thank you!

Good News Story: Guide Dogs 'embarking' on a new career choose to study at Murdoch University

A new collaboration between Murdoch University and Guide Dogs WA is helping train the next generation of support dogs.

Guide Dogs 'embarking' on a new career choose to study at Murdoch University Students aren’t the only ones choosing Murdoch University – pups looking to ‘embark’ on a new career are also studying here.

Just reading some research about attracting more women into apprenticeships and trades. And then came across this TED talk. It seems very relevant.
Career choices are shaped early by social and cultural influences. From childhood, girls are often steered, directly or indirectly, towards “appropriate” careers, typically in caring professions, while trades are seen as male domains.

Obviously lots of work needs to be done to get girls to see that Trade occupations are worthwhile and most importantly well within their capability.

To raise brave girls, encourage adventure Gutsy girls skateboard, climb trees, clamber around, fall down, scrape their knees, get right back up -- and grow up to be brave women. Learn how to spark a little productive risk-taking and raise confident girls with stories and advice from firefighter, paraglider and all-around adventurer Caroline...

To Career Practitioners and Educators- some fantastic career resources highlighting the amazing agricultural sector.

🍎🐝🌾🚀 Discover the Future of Food & Fibre Careers This National Careers Week! 🌱🍓

Australia’s primary industries offer far more than traditional farming careers. From information technology, marketing and communications, engineering and environmental science, through to logistics, management and sales, the food and fibre sector is full of exciting and diverse career opportunities. 💻🔬🌏

Behind the food we eat and the clothes we wear is an innovative, globally connected industry driven by science, sustainability and technology. 🍞👕 Today’s agriculture sector relies on a wide range of skills, creating rewarding pathways for students with all kinds of interests and strengths. 🌾💡👩‍🔬

To celebrate National Careers Week 2026, we’ve compiled a range of resources to help educators introduce students to the breadth of careers available across Australia’s agriculture, food and fibre industries. These engaging resources are designed to spark curiosity, support classroom learning and inspire future career pathways. 📚🎓🍇

Explore food and fibre career education resources: https://buff.ly/YvvOJRZ

It's National Careers Week (11 - 17th May 2026)

This National Careers Week, we’re highlighting the people and groups that provide career guidance and information.

To our "CAREER PRACTITIONERS".... who enthusiastically provide career information and services to young people, job seekers, career changers and people returning to work. We love what you do!

We have WA Jobs and Skills Centres, Western Australia's one-stop shops for careers, training and employment advice and assistance.

Nationally, we have the Career Development Australia (CDAA) which is Australia’s largest and only cross-sectoral association of career development professionals

In WA, we have a local group of CDAA WA members who meet the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Dome Café, East Victoria Park.

We then have the Career Education Association of Western Australia (CEAWA) who are a network of educators and career practitioners that work in WA's school system.

To read the full article and get all of the above's websites and contact information, please click here. https://www.fftitc.com.au/single-post/it-s-national-careers-week-11-17-may-2026

National Careers Week Australia Career Development Association Australia Career Industry Council of Australia