Gen Z often gets flack for their hustle or entrepreneurial mindset—but with Principal Joumana Youssef at the helm, students at Granville South Creative and Performing Arts High School in Sydney’s West are embracing it fully, with their families right beside them, backing their ambition every step of the way.

Dahlia Kalal is already forging a career in business, studying construction management at TAFE and building a strong foundation for her future with the support of her family. “I enjoy working and learning new things outside my comfort zone—things I never thought I’d try or experience,” Kalal shared. “I’m studying construction management now, but I hope this will eventually lead to pursuing a bachelor’s degree.”

“Traditionally, students had to finish school before moving on to university or TAFE,” said Principal Joumana Youssef. “Now, we’ve opened up pathways that allow them to learn beyond the classroom.”

These pathways, facilitated through the NSW Department of Education, are part of a state-wide effort to connect public school students with school-based traineeships, apprenticeships, and TAFE taster courses — short-term TAFE-style learning experiences delivered at TAFE—made possible through partnerships with principals and career advisers.

“It’s a whole-school effort—we work closely with families to provide wraparound and school-based support,” Youssef added. “This ensures students can graduate with two qualifications, making them more employable when they finish school.”

Since trialling the Educational Pathways Program in 2020, the NSW Department of Education has supported over 1,800 school-based traineeships and apprenticeships—empowering students to graduate with two qualifications by combining paid employment with nationally accredited vocational training as part of their HSC.

Khadija Haidari is another student making the most of this opportunity. By completing a Certificate III in Retail Services through the program, she is balancing study and work on a traineeship while still at school. Haidari believes this pathway perfectly combines her love for fashion with her ambition to manage state-wide stores for a major retail brand.

“I want this study to help me with my future career. I’m working and studying in retail—I love engaging with customers when I’m at work,” said Haidari. “In the future, I want to complete a Bachelor of Business.”

Angie Sisala, Head Teacher Careers with the Educational Pathways Program team, emphasised the personalised nature of School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships, highlighting the hands-on support students receive from day one.

“We have a strong focus on wellbeing at Granville South, especially because we work with students and families from diverse cultural backgrounds,” said Sisala. “School-based apprenticeships and traineeships offer students valuable opportunities, all while providing the safety and support of a school environment.”

Mustafa Khan, Engagement Officer within the department’s support structure, plays a critical role in bridging the gap between school staff, students, families, and the program team. He believes these pathways accelerate student ambitions without compromising their development.

“We regularly mentor students to help them stay up to date with assessments at TAFE or their registered training organisation, while also balancing school priorities,” said Khan. “We treat a traineeship like a school subject.”

“Students undergo a transformation when they enter the workplace. They become much more mature—most students who begin a traineeship or apprenticeship become truly inspired,” he added. “They are very professional, and you really see them come out of their shell.”

Youssef explained that while some parents were initially hesitant about these alternative pathways through TAFE and workplaces, there is now greater openness as they see the positive impact on students’ lives.

“We organised a tour with parents at TAFE alongside a careers advisor so they could experience firsthand what their child would be doing on placement or studying. Many students are so inspired by these opportunities that they wake up at 5:00 a.m. to start their day.”

“We also share success stories from previous students, so more families, especially those from multicultural backgrounds, can see the positive difference these pathways have made. This is how we measure success at our school too.”

Another example of this success is Eman Bangash, a student at Granville South, who is currently studying a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance. She explained that while her family’s hopes for her to become a doctor haven’t wavered, she has armed herself with the preparation needed to gain insight into the medical industry—should she choose to pursue that path.

“I became interested in this pathway into health because I want to help people. I’m currently studying a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance while still at school,” said Bangash. “No one in my family has studied health or medicine before.

My family is very supportive of me studying through this pathway—their dream is for me to become a doctor.

I’d say to other students that the biggest difference between studying a traineeship and school is that there’s a lot more teamwork at TAFE, more presentations, and it’s taught me how to be more confident and how to talk to others. There are lots of friendly people at TAFE, so it helps with not missing school or friends.”

Youssef said many of her students are already taking their first steps up the career ladder and believes the school has a responsibility to set them up for success, no matter where their journey leads after school.

“These school-based pathways into apprenticeships and traineeships ensure that students don’t have to exit on their own. These placements are a key part of our school plan, and all staff are committed to supporting students in engaging with alternate pathways,” said Youssef.

Granville South currently has 15 students enrolled in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.