The Educational Pathways Program (EPP) has enjoyed a year of growth. Not just in the number of schools participating in the program, but in the overall number of students completing EPP programs and raising their awareness of vocational education and training and post-school pathways.

2024 program highlights

• 4 new regions were established when 21 new schools joined the program, including all ‘Connected Communities’ schools – schools that work hand-in-hand with local communities to better support the educational, health and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal students – with secondary student enrolments.

• The UNSW Evaluation final report, aimed to determine the extent to which the objectives of the Educational Pathways Program are being achieved, was released, with key highlights including a notable increase in enrolments for VET subjects and SBAT commencements in EPP schools, with a faster growth rate compared to non-EPP schools.

• 2 new Principal Champions were added to the program.

• Strong collaboration and innovation at regional conferences in Western Sydney and Newcastle.

• EPP schools celebrate NSW Training Awards winners in 3 categories.

Student engagement

With thousands of students engaging in EPP initiatives throughout the year, the program continues to go from strength to strength. Highlights from Term 1 to Term 3 include:

• 20,901 students participating in industry-specific programs organised by EPP Head Teacher Careers, supporting their exploration of post-school pathways in their region.

• Over 1,500 students enrolling in a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBAT), a proven pathway for students to successfully transition to work and/or further education.

• 7,744 students participating in Start Your Future ‘test and try’ vocational courses delivered by TAFE NSW.

• 511 students completed a pre-apprenticeship or pre-traineeship nationally recognised VET credential, supporting them to reach their post school destination goals. This represents 86% completion rate for pre-apprenticeship or pre-traineeship courses from Term 1 to Term 3 2024.

• Supporting over 1,000 disengaged students to re-engage with their learning through the Back in the Game and Early School Leavers initiatives.

• Educational Pathways VET Ambassadors delivering 83 inspiring talks and mentoring sessions on VET career pathways

“I am incredibly proud to see what we have achieved this year,” says Shannon Mudiman, EPP leader at the NSW Department of Education.

“It wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated teams who work tirelessly to match opportunities to the needs of their schools. Having teams on the ground who live in and understand their school communities is a large contributor to the success of the program.”

Shannon spent time visiting schools and communities throughout 2024, particularly those in the new EPP regions. Meeting with principals, careers and transitions advisors, as well as wider school communities, Shannon has been focused on understanding the needs of their schools to co-design the delivery of the EPP.

“I am looking forward to what we can achieve together in 2025,” says Shannon.