鈥淚t’s all about connection,鈥� said Mr Peirce. 鈥淲e鈥檙e helping schools and employers speak the same language, and supporting students to better understand what vocational education and training (VET) can offer them in their own communities.鈥�
The initiative focuses on raising awareness of VET opportunities for Year 10 students and aligning local learning with real career pathways in priority industries such as construction, aged care, disability services, agriculture, hospitality and tourism, and advanced manufacturing.
Through targeted facilitation and co-design, Mr Peirce works with both schools and local employers to identify skills needs and create meaningful learning experiences that expose students to career options close to home.
In one example, Mr Peirce supported a partnership between Devonport High School and local civil construction employers. This connection resulted in the creation of a new Certificate II Civil Construction industry pathway, the only one of its kind currently offered in Tasmania鈥檚 North-West, with 12 students set to enrol in 2025.
鈥淓mployers are eager to engage,鈥� Mr Peirce said. 鈥淭hey get to showcase their business to their future workforce and help students understand what jobs look like in practice 鈥� what skills are needed, what work readiness means, and how to take the next step.鈥�
The Youth Career Facilitator acts as a go-between, making it easier for employers and schools to connect and build lasting partnerships. For schools, it provides access to up-to-date local labour market insights. For industry, it offers a direct line to students 鈥� and the chance to shape their future workforce.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about helping students choose a pathway,鈥� Mr Peirce added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about giving them real-world experiences that inform their decisions. Some students find their passion. Others realise a certain job isn鈥檛 for them 鈥� and that鈥檚 just as valuable.鈥�
The program also supports schools to integrate VET more meaningfully into their offerings and encourages them to explore industry partnerships that support student engagement and progression.
鈥淭his isn鈥檛 about parachuting in a one-size-fits-all program,鈥� Mr Peirce said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about working with local schools, communities and businesses to co-design opportunities that work 鈥� for everyone involved.鈥�
The Youth Career Facilitator program is part of a broader government strategy to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training, while also helping address workforce shortages across Tasmania.
Mr Peirce says the long-term goal is for this kind of school鈥搃ndustry engagement to become business as usual.
鈥淚f you want to develop a renewable pipeline of talent in your region, it starts by building relationships with schools,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t should be the most normal thing in the world.鈥�