Almost 200 year 10 Aboriginal students from across SA gathered in Adelaide to explore career opportunities at Aboriginal Pathways to Success Week.

The event, organised by the Department for Education’s Workabout team, invites students to participate in hands-on activities with employers and training providers around Adelaide. Students select an industry stream of interest – everything from trades or automotive to the arts, beauty, or conservation – and engage in a week of practical industry learning.

AFL legend and Aboriginal role model Adam Goodes opened the event at Adelaide University last Monday. Adam shared his journey to success and encouraged students to take opportunities and hone the traits that employers are looking for – honesty, respect and discipline.

These students have big goals and plans to achieve them. Coden, a Ngarrindjeri, Narungga, Adnyamathanha man from Berri Regional Secondary College aims to relocate to Adelaide to study quantum physics at university. He shares, “I’d like to learn about space and how it works”. Craigmore High School student Lily plans to balance her creative pursuits as a musician, singer, songwriter with her interest in forensic science and criminology – “I'm going to go to uni for both of them” she explains.

The event supports students with their year 11 subject selection and Vocational Education and Training options, to help them achieve their career goals. Proud Aboriginal woman Shanaya says the Aboriginal Pathways programs and their staff guide participants every step of the way, “And in order to be successful, you need to have that guidance.”

Regional students are supported to attend. Waikerie High School student Malachi travelled two hours to participate in the trade stream, visiting construction sites and training facilities around Adelaide to learn about the industry first-hand. While he was initially planning on becoming a carpenter, his recent work experience in electrical sparked a new interest – “Those are my two options right now for after school so if one doesn't work out, I always have a backup plan.”.

Malachi believes these programs are valuable because they “show the younger generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids the opportunities that they might not have in the community that they're living in.”

Aboriginal Pathways alumna and artist Keira Holberton has experienced the impact of these programs, sharing “Without these events I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am. I wouldn’t be so close to my community and culture”.

Aboriginal Pathways to Success Week is a valuable opportunity for Aboriginal students to discover career pathways, learn from Aboriginal leaders and connect with mobs from across the state.