Work, Employment and Enterprise in HSIE

Aboriginal Studies

The Aboriginal Studies Years 7–10 Syllabus incorporates an awareness of the importance of enterprise to economic independence and self-determination for Aboriginal Peoples. Students examine the role of government, non-government organisations, trade unions and advocacy groups in the struggle for Aboriginal rights. Students also develop valuable workplace skills such as working effectively in teams, communicating clearly and solving problems creatively.

Commerce

The Commerce syllabus incorporates work and employment-related content throughout the core and options of the course. Students examine the nature of business and a variety of work and employment structures and how the law impacts on work and employment. Practical activities related to starting a small business and modelling good business practice provide students with an understanding of the importance of enterprise. Students will also develop valuable collaborative workplace skills, decision-making skills, effective communication skills and the ability to creatively solve a range of work, employment and enterprise-related problems.

Geography

Each course in the Geography syllabus develops knowledge and understanding of demographic and geographic patterns of employment and unemployment and an understanding of global linkages created through work and employment. Students also learn how unions and other organisations in Australia and overseas have a role in community action, conflict resolution and a wide range of issues affecting workers and communities, such as environmental protection, land rights and conflict over land use.

History

Work, Employment and Enterprise content focuses on the living and working conditions of Australians over time and the contribution of work-related organisations to Australian society.

In Stage 5 Mandatory, students have opportunities to develop knowledge and understandings of:

the way people lived and worked in Australia 1900–1914
the growth of unionism and establishment of the ACTU during the 1920s
living and working conditions in Australia during World War II
the role of Unions in a participatory democracy, eg Green Bans.

Work Education

The Work Education syllabus as a whole integrates the Board of Studies’ cross-curriculum statements for Work, Employment and Enterprise. Knowledge and understanding are developed through research, analysis and practical demonstration. Themes include the exploration of government and non-government sectors, the roles of training and education systems, workplace issues, workplace legislation and the changing nature of work. Employment and enterprise skills are developed through self-evaluation, individual and team projects and practical application. Values and attitudes are explored in the context of students’ self-awareness and development, in relation to social and economic participation, and with regard to employer expectations. The Work Education syllabus has acknowledged a number of national initiatives in this area including the ‘Employability Skills Framework’ and the New Framework for Vocational Education in Schools.

(NSW Board of Studies HSIE Years 7-10 Syllabuses)

The School to Work Program

Initiatives in HSIE with a focus on Work, Employment and Enterprise also support the outcomes of The School to Work Program. A major focus of this program is to integrate vocational learning into classroom practice. This encompasses the development of employment related skills and exposes students to a range of workplace contexts related to their class work. Class topics can be linked to relevant career pathways so that students can make the connections between their learning and the ‘real world’. This may occur in the form of simulated workplace activities, engaging in workplace problem solving tasks, or incorporate workplace research. Schools can provide all students from Years 9-12 with an Employment Related Skills Logbook which enables them to identify and record the skills learned in their school, community and workplace contexts.

For further information on School to Work, click on the link below.

This resource booklet was developed in 2005 by the Vocational Education in Schools Directorate in consultation with Curriculum K-12. Vocational Learning in HSIE provides teachers with practical activities to integrate Work, Employment and Enterprise into teaching and learning. The Vocational Learning in HSIE resource booklet is available on the Vocational Learning website.

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