Work, Employment and Enterprise in Mathematics
Did you know?
- A fully skilled automotive body repairer must have good reading and basic mathematics and computer skills. Restoring automobiles to their original form requires such precision that body repairers must follow instructions and diagrams in technical manuals to make very precise three-dimensional measurements of the position of one body section relative to another.
- Carpenters need to have the ability to solve arithmetic problems quickly and accurately.
- Cashiers need basic mathematics skills and good manual dexterity.
- "...employers set a lot of store by mathematical ability and are more likely to hire someone with maths training ". Ross Gittins, Economics Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald
Quality mathematics teaching provides access to learning environments that link student learning to personal, social and work contexts outside the classroom. Effective delivery of vocational learning will incorporate relevant Mathematics syllabus outcomes and embed the Work, Employment and Enterprise and Key Competencies cross-curriculum content statements into classroom teaching.
Work, Employment and Enterprise content enables students to develop work-related knowledge, skills and understanding through their study of mathematics. It also provides opportunities for students to develop values and attitudes about work, employment and the workplace.
Specifically this occurs through student study of mathematics in work-related contexts, through selecting and applying appropriate mathematical techniques and problem-solving strategies, and in acquiring, processing, assessing and communicating information.
(NSW Board of Studies Maths Years 7-10 Syllabus)
The School to Work Program
Initiatives in Mathematics 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.
Vocational Learning in Mathematics This resource booklet was developed in 2005 by the Vocational Education in Schools Directorate in consultation with Curriculum K-12. Vocational Learning in Mathematics provides teachers with practical activities to integrate Work, Employment and Enterprise into teaching and learning. The Vocational Learning in Mathematics resource booklet is available on the Vocational Learning website. | |
| The occupations shown on this poster are a selection of those that have some link with the subject of Mathematics. Training requirements are indicated by four educational levels. These levels are used as a guide only. The levels indicate the most common educational and/or entry requirements for these jobs. Level 1 Year 12 and degree/diploma or equivalent Level 2 Year 12 and certificate/associate diploma/associate degree, on-the-job training or equivalent Level 3 Year 10-12 and full or part time study or on-the-job training Level 4 No specific minimum educational requirement. Usually on-the-job training. |
Useful mathematics vocational websites | |
Careers in Mathematics and Statistics |
http://www.mathscareers.org.au/
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Maths Ad(d)s: A guide for students to the job market 2006/07 |
http://www.ice-em.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=39#mathscareers (scroll down the page)
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“Maths and” posters |
http://www.ice-em.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=39#mathscareers (scroll down the page) |
UNSW School of Mathematics and Statistics Careers and Employment
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http://www.maths.unsw.edu.au/statistics/futureugcareers.html
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Monash University– Why study Mathematics and Statistics at University level? |
http://www.maths.monash.edu.au/careers/
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Monash University– Careers in Mathematics |
http://www.maths.monash.edu.au/careers/careers.html
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Useful general vocational websites | |
Vocational education in schools Internet |
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/vetinschools/index.html
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Boyz@work |
http://boyzatwork.det.nsw.edu.au/index.html
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Girlswork |
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Jobs Alive |
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