A revised Stage 6 Work Studies Content Endorsed Course (CEC) Syllabus will replace the current Stage 6 Work Studies CEC Syllabus (1993). It will be implemented for Year 11 students from 2013 and Year 12 students from 2014.

The revision of the Work Studies syllabus has occurred in the context of recent changes in secondary schooling. The raising of the school leaving age to 17 years means that the revised Work Studies syllabus is well placed to meet student and school needs for those students who may previously have left school. Work Studies can provide flexible and effective learning related to work and skills to assist students in the workplace. Many schools now offer non-ATAR patterns of study that include Work Studies.

The syllabus is contemporary and reflects the current work environment. It includes a core module, elective modules and work placement that could provide opportunities for community involvement. As this is a CEC there is no HSC examination.

The new Stage 6 Work Studies CEC Syllabus (PDF), a Guide to the Stage 6 Work Studies CEC Syllabus (PDF) and a Course Description for Stage 6 Work Studies (PDF) are available on the Board of Studies website.

Key features of the Work Studies CEC syllabus include:

• The course is flexible, providing a range of indicative hours from 15 to 30 for each elective module to allow teachers to tailor their programs more specifically to meet the needs of particular groups of students.
• The course reflects the contemporary world of work, including: technology in the workplace and for job seeking; the changing nature of the labour market and work; and issues in the modern workforce.
• An emphasis on knowledge and skills for work-readiness, teamwork and enterprise.
• Work health and safety (WHS) is addressed.
• A Personal Finance module focuses on financial literacy, assisting students to manage their income and to develop an understanding of financial matters.
• The Team Enterprise Project module provides the opportunity for students to engage in practical activities designed to develop their initiative, enterprise and teamwork skills. Such a project could include a community-based, work-focussed initiative.
• There is provision for school-developed modules.
• Experiencing Work is available as either one or two modules (up to 50 per cent of course time) and allows for a diverse range of work-related experiences.

Current Work Studies teaching programs may be modified to meet the requirements of the new syllabus and many existing units of work can form the basis of effective programs. Many existing resources will continue to be relevant.

For more information, contact:
Lindsay Swan
Board Inspector, Human Society and Its Environment
lindsay.swan@bos.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8150