Lighthouse Program
What is the Lighthouse Program?
The Lighthouse Program is a workplace mentoring program established in the Parramatta Diocese in 2001 and since then has matched over 350 students with volunteer mentors. Students come from 22 schools in the Parramatta Diocese.
It provides students in Years 9 or 10 with the opportunity to develop key skills and experience in a learning environment outside school.
How does it work?
The Program pairs students with a volunteer mentor, who hosts the student in their workplace for one day a week over 18 weeks (April through to September, excluding the July school holidays). The mentor is both a personal and professional role model for the student.
With the guidance of their workplace mentor, the students become involved in the day-to-day running of a business and gain skills, confidence and a new enthusiasm for learning. Whilst students gain key industry specific skills, the Lighthouse Program focuses on attaining experience in key employability skill areas such as communication, team work, technology and organisational skills.
Workplace Trainers visit the students in the workplace each fortnight and phone every other week to support both the mentor and the student on their journey. Workplaces vary from trades such as Carpentry, plumbing, electrical, hairdressing to childcare, office/reception work and hospitality.
How does the program affect students’ schooling?
While on the job, each student must complete a Workplace Learning Log. This log records the student’s progress and experience in 8 key employability skill areas. These are:-
- Learning
- Communication
- Technology
- Team Work
- Planning and Organising
- Problem Solving
- Self Management
- Enterprise skills
These skills, along with personal attributes are transferable skills across every job and the students are supported to achieve good outcomes in each area throughout the 18 weeks. Through the log, students see the relevance of what is being taught at school – that the learning does indeed have a real-world application.
In addition to their workplace training, the Lighthouse students take part in a two day work readiness program through the Western Sydney Institute of TAFE covering resume writing, interviewing skills and personal grooming and presentation. This course builds on the knowledge of workplace expectations gained from their time with their mentor, preparing them for interviews.
What about the mentors?
The program is based on studies of ‘best practice’. Mentoring is widely recognised as a highly effective practice as it provides one-on-one support and motivation from an adult who is not a family member or school teacher. The mentor is a respected role model for their Lighthouse student and help instil a strong work ethic, enthusiasm for learning and a desire to succeed.
All mentors undertake a TAFE course to gain a statement in attainment for the Mentoring in the Community unit. They are supported throughout the program by workplace trainers who are in weekly contact and visit fortnightly to help them provide the best possible learning experience for their students.
Lighthouse mentor, Barry Churchland from the Carpentry and Joinery Division, Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Nirimba Education Precinct, said he was pleased he took part in the program. “When I was asked to take part in the Lighthouse program I was curious. What could I possibly contribute to a program involving Year 9 and 10 students?
I soon learned that the benefits flowed both ways. My student gained a little of the knowledge I have accumulated over the years and I soon learned that it does not matter what a person’s age or background, they probably know something you don’t and you too can learn from them.”
On completion of the program…
Students who have completed the Lighthouse Program report a greater confidence in themselves and their ability to achieve. Many have a new sense of direction for their future and are motivated to continue their education to reach a career goal. They have an appreciation of hard work and responsibility, as well as evidence they can make a real and valuable contribution to the workplace.
Students are presented with a portfolio which provides written evidence on their performance in each employability skill area as well as containing references from their mentor and the Lighthouse Team. Past students have found this portfolio a valuable resource to help them secure employment in their chosen field.
The schools participating in the Lighthouse Program are:
- Bede Polding College, Windsor South
- Caroline Chisolm College, Glenmore Park
- Cerdon College, Merrylands
- Delany College, Granville
- Emmaus Catholic College, Kemps Creek
- Gilroy College, Castle Hill
- McCarthy Catholic College, Emu Plains
- Marian Catholic College, Kenthurst
- Nagle College, Blacktown South
- Parramatta Marist High School, Westmead
- Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown
- St Agnes Catholic High School, Rooty Hill
- St Andrews College, Marayong
- St Clare Catholic High School, Hassall Grove
- St Columba's High School, Springwood
- St Dominic's College, Penrith
- St Marks Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens
- St Patrick's Marist College, Dundas
- St Paul's Catholic College, Greystanes
- Terra Sancta College, Quakers Hill
- Xavier College, Llandilo
Mentors needed now!
Mentors on the Lighthouse Program offer their students a gift - a gift of time, of attention, and a chance to learn about the world of work. Students see that people in the community care enough about their future to give them this chance. For many students this can be a turning point in valuing their time at school - for opportunities their education will give them in the future.
The Lighthouse Program is currently seeking caring, interested volunteers to mentor students. Tradespeople are particularly welcome.
Are you in a position to become a mentor, or know someone who is?
Ask around!
Further information
To find out more about assisting a student in this program please contact the Catholic Education Office here.