global capabilities | Sydney Catholic Schools

UpRising: Entrepreneurship career pathways for young people

A sector-blind education initiative to help Year 12 students give their HSC Design and Technology major projects a life beyond the classroom is gaining momentum across NSW.

UpRising is the brainchild of Sydney Catholic Schools’ Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) teacher Richard Hainsworth.

A pilot of the program – a strategic partnership with NSW Government, the Institute of Technology Education (iTE), and a collective of future-focused businesses – began in March with 50 students from thirteen government, Catholic and independent schools across the state.

Richard, who teaches at Brigidine College Randwick, said the project aimed to provide a clear pathway for young designers and businesses to collaborate in a meaningful way, including in the research and development space.

The program also allows students to develop saleable ideas alongside core entrepreneurial skills.

“UpRising acts as a conduit between HSC design students and industry” – Richard Hainsworth

“The need for a system to assist young talent, and for industry to make early connections, is critical in preparing for tomorrow’s skills shortages and technological disruption,” Mr Hainsworth said.

CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM

Mr Hainsworth said the HSC Design and Technology syllabus drew on many of the skills and capabilities entrepreneurs require, including the ability to solve problems and connect with a target market.

“For the HSC major project, you have to really drill down into a genuine need in society,” he said. “These projects are often commercially viable by the end of the design process and, from an ecological and positive impact perspective, ready to go.”

Current projects include lamps made of recycled seaweed, a COVID-safe workspace, equipment to reduce breast injuries in women’s contact sport, a drone to collect …

Pitch to protect endangered species

Bethlehem College Ashfield Year 8 students – Nia, Emma, Caitlin, Lucia and Benedicta – have imagined an information campaign to protect West Papua’s critically endangered leatherback turtles.

Their ‘pitch for the planet’, at The Orbispace Initiative’s (TOI) Future of Female Leaders entrepreneurial event, included an app for locals and tourists, plus two educational children’s books to promote behavioural change and protect the turtle population.

The students were inspired by mentors including Brighte senior product manager Emily Burns and Lisa Fedorenko, an Alberts investment manager.

PITCH FOR THE PLANET

“The Bethlehem team were very engaging in their ‘pitch for the planet’ and demonstrated that they have the makings of female innovators of the future,” Bethlehem’s STEM teacher, Jennifer Price, said.

“This activity alone has developed their creativity, critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills.

“They have also developed resume-writing and presentation skills, making use of body language and verbal communication.”

“The experiential learning activities that the Bethlehem students are completing, thanks to The Orbispace Initiative, are quite simply amazing” – Jennifer Price

ABOUT TOI

The Orbispace Initiative (TOI) is an Australian charity which develops students’ entrepreneurial skills through industry mentor opportunities and events that promote success in a rapidly changing physical and digital landscape.

Bethlehem’s Principal, Ann Freeman, said taking part in programs like TOI gave students a competitive edge and “could be the differentiating factor in their future careers”.

“I have been involved in girls’ education for over 30 years and I’ve never seen as much energy, creativity and passion for learning as I have seen here at Bethlehem,” Ms Freeman said.

UpRising: Entrepreneurship career pathways for young people

Pitch to protect endangered species

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our schools and offices now stand. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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