Student taps into plum award

By Bridget Brady
PAKENHAM Secondary College student Josh Muley was a recent finalist in the 2008 OSCA (Outstanding Student Career Achievement) awards.
Josh, in Year 11, is a VCAL student at Pakenham Secondary College and works two and a half days a week at Reece Plumbing in Pakenham as part of his school-based apprenticeship.
Josh was nominated by his school for the awards, hosted by SELLEN (South East Local Learning Employment Network) on 30 April.
Even though he did not win the award, 50 students were nominated and Josh finished in the top three.
Josh has been working at Reece Plumbing for about a year and said he has enjoyed the VCAL program’s focus on applied learning.
“It’s been good getting out there in the workforce to get a head start on my career,” he said.
Josh said his success would help him gain further full-time employment at a store.
Reece Plumbing, Pakenham manager Greg Carbis encouraged the program and said Josh had been very beneficial to the business.
Acting principal of senior school at Pakenham Secondary College Vaya Cross said the school was very happy for Josh.
“We’re impressed with the effort he’s put in and what he’s achieved. We said to him on the (awards) night ‘you didn’t win but we’re really proud’.”
VCAL coordinator at the school Tony Chandler said VCAL appeals to students who are looking to go on with a trade qualification rather than completing VCE.
“It’s good to keep kids engaged in learning and it keeps some kids in school,” Mr Chandler said.