December 22, 2020
Local students get a taste of university life
Alcoa employees have volunteered to share their university and career experience with high school students across the Kwinana, Peel and Upper South West regions this year through a unique program that encourages young people to consider a tertiary education.
Attending a variety of university discovery sessions and campus visits, Alcoa employees shared their study and career stories through the University of Western Australia’s Aspire program.
The sessions guided students in their subject selection for years 11 and 12 while also demystifying the university entrance ranking process and other considerations when thinking about university such as accommodation, scholarships and alternative entry pathways.
Director of Alcoa’s Global Safety Culture Programs Sue Taylor took part in the program, volunteering at a UWA campus visit. Sue said she enjoyed exploring different aspects of university life with the students and helping them refine their future career and study aspirations.
“These kids are on the cusp of a decision that will play a huge part in the rest of their lives,” Sue said. “The student ambassadors and lecturers who run the program are all very impressive and it was a privilege to share this with the students and give them a snapshot of university life.”
The Alcoa Foundation has been supporting the delivery of the Aspire UWA program since 2016 in 14 high schools across the Kwinana, Peel and Upper South West regions near where the company operates. The partnership aims to address the region’s lower than average educational attainment levels and high youth unemployment rate.
Participating schools include Mandurah Baptist College, Byford Secondary College, John Tonkin College, Gilmore College, Frederick Irwin Anglican School, Foundation Christian College, Halls Head College, Pinjarra Senior High School, Harvey Senior High School, Waroona District High School, Coodanup College and Mandurah Catholic College.
To find out more visit Aspire UWA.
Media contact: Claire Honey, Alcoa Senior Community Partnership Advisor, claire.honey@alcoa.com, 9557 4090