Hosted for students who have engaged across EPP, vocational education and training (VET), and career initiatives, the Academy brought together 5 participating high schools:

• Airds High School
• Campbelltown Performing Arts High School
• Eagle Vale Sports High School
• Thomas Reddall High School
• Picton High School

Building confidence and communication skills

Throughout the intensive workshop, students reflected on the pivotal experiences shaping their career and study journeys. Participants explored the diverse range of post-school education, training, and employment options available while developing their personal pathway stories.

Practical activities included public speaking masterclasses, pathway mapping, mock interviews, and elevator pitch sessions designed to cultivate generic employability and leadership skills that extend well beyond school. The initiative adapted a successful model first developed by Drew Cairncross and Jayne Creighton in the Illawarra EPP team. Kate Rowe, EPP Head Teacher Careers supporting Campbelltown group of schools was key to the creation and delivery of this workshop.

Support from the EPP VET Ambassadors team and Morgan Graham helped students build poise, confidence, and self-advocacy skills.

Student voice featured on national television

The event also drew national media attention, with an SBS News crew attending the workshop to film students in action and interview them on how they are navigating modern pressures, including artificial intelligence, housing costs, and career choices.

Students articulated the real-world value of vocational learning, noting that hands-on trades and practical skills offer resilient pathways in an evolving economy.

Leading peer-to-peer inspiration

The Academy is structured to create lasting impact across school communities. As accredited EPP Pathways Ambassadors, these students will now champion authentic student voice by:

• sharing their vocational journeys with younger students and families
• supporting subject selection evenings, careers expos, and school transition programs
• presenting at feeder primary school visits, P&C association meetings, and staff professional learning sessions.

By stepping up as mentors, Campbelltown's newest Pathways Ambassadors are showing their peers firsthand just how many diverse, rewarding pathways are possible.