Today sees the launch of a new and exciting initiative where year 12 students from Thebarton Senior College will soon be able to undertake studies which develop a genuine pathway to join South Australia Police (SAPOL) as a police cadet or Police Security Officer (PSO).
In consultation with the Department of Education (DfE) and Thebarton Senior College (TSC), a formal agreement has been signed between the Commissioner of Police and TSC to conduct a Pathways to Policing Program (PTPP) for year 12 students commencing in 2024.
The aim is to provide a structured body of year 12 high school course work which will offer a pathway for those participating students to have a greater opportunity to gain employment with SAPOL.
The program will focus on skills essential for policing - interpersonal skills; critical thinking; and problem solving.
TSC will provide the structure for the year-long coursework, with skilled educators offering assistance for five subjects. TSC will begin promotions in August 2023, aiming to attract students to the program starting in 2024. This will be a SACE Stage 2 subject package available to students across the state.
What the program will include is yet to be determined but this exciting pathway will see the delivery of a tailored curriculum which will hopefully lead to a definitive pathway into policing.
This is another example where SAPOL is developing and implementing a raft of new recruitment initiatives to promote the organisation as an employer of choice.
Some of the current initiatives include the introduction of the new recruiting van; development of new partnerships with organisations such as the Adelaide Footy League and Football SA; and now a terrific opportunity for SAPOL to attract South Australian youth to consider policing as a career whilst in their senior high school year.
Quotes attributable to the Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens
It is intended the program will focus on skills essential for Policing; interpersonal skills; critical thinking; and problem solving through the context and flavour of the SAPOL operating environment.
Our ultimate goal is to boost success rates of participating students being recruited into SAPOL at the completion of their Year 12 program. Through this partnership SAPOL aims to recruit suitable applicants for various policing roles, with a specific focus on those from culturally and linguistically diverse and First Nations backgrounds, who can bring unique perspectives to careers in policing.
Quotes attributable to Principal, Thebarton Senior College Eva Kannis-Torry
This is an exciting partnership that TSC has developed with SAPOL, and we are delighted to have a number of educators already committed to delivering the program, along with a cohort of students eager to enrol in 2024.
TSC provides a unique learning environment offering genuine flexible industry pathways for students with a strong emphasis on embracing diversity and inclusion. We pride ourselves on welcoming students from all backgrounds, fostering a supportive school community where everyone can thrive and succeed together.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Police Joe Szakacs
SAPOL are aiming to increase recruitment success in both regional and metropolitan Adelaide with a 2024 commencement date of the new Pathways to Policing Program.
This is a long-term strategy to provide a definitive pathway for our own young people in this state who can be offered subjects in Years 12 which can lead them into a career as a police officer or PSO.
