Testimonial

Zach’s Journey (SBAT) 6/05/2022

Zach is a participant in the SBAT Program being delivered by Advance. Zach, like many students, is undertaking a VET program to support his VCAL studies this year. While this is the norm for many VCAL students, for Zach, this is something that is incredibly challenging. You see, Zach has Autism Spectrum.

Zach was interested in undertaking the SBAT in Certificate II in Parks and Gardens as he sees it as a pathway to achieve his long term career – to undertake further education in Animal Studies, which will lead him to a career as a Park Ranger or a Zoo Keeper. Zach is very clear in his mind about what he needs to do to achieve his goal, but he is thinking more broadly too about what the course can do for him. Zach knows that in order to continue to learn and grow, that he needs to boost his confidence in social skills.

When we think of VET subjects, we know that they lead to skills development, increase in knowledge, pathways to further education and the like, but very often, they also lead to the development of other skills, sometimes known as employability or soft skills.

Zach’s situation has confronted him nearly every step of the way on his journey so far. Zach attends EMC for VCAL, and made the decision to join an SBAT program at another school. Immediately, the first hurdle is getting used to a new school environment, and one where he knows very few, if any, people. Next, Zach must overcome his social anxiety and learn to mix with new people, get to know them, and learn to work in a new team.

Zach has been persistent in his application to the program and as a result, every week, he feels his social skills are improving and he is becoming more and more confident. What Zach is achieving is not just a qualification, but life skills that will stay with him and help him to achieve his goals.

Congratulations on your journey so far Zach!