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CIT for school students

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Choosing your career path while still at school can feel overwhelming, but at CIT, we’re here to help guide you. Whether you're uncertain about your future direction or exploring your options, CIT offers a range of courses and activities to enable you to explore your interests so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

Why choose CIT?

At CIT, we understand that the transition from school to career is a big step. Our courses are designed to connect you with industry and provide you with in-demand practical skills to prepare you for real-world experiences.

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CIT learning pathways for school students

School-based apprenticeships

For students aged 15 or older, school-based apprenticeships offer an exciting opportunity to begin your apprenticeship while still completing your secondary studies. You’ll split your time between your continued secondary studies, working with an employer and attending CIT, allowing you to start your career earlier and earn while you learn.

CIT short courses for school students

CIT provides a variety of accredited and non-accredited short courses for high school and college students, including:

These courses offer practical training and allow you to explore different fields, helping you identify your interests. Accredited short courses may also provide credit for further studies at CIT.

The CIT Schools Engagement Short Course Catalogue suggests accredited and non-accredited short courses for school students to sample vocational learning through CIT. To request a particular CIT short course for your school, school staff are encouraged to please use the enquiry form below.

Pathways to CIT

At CIT, we believe in empowering students to achieve their academic and career aspirations. Whether you’re stepping in from high school, building your skills through foundation courses or preparing to move on to university, CIT offers a range of clear and supported pathways.

Learn more about CIT’s various entry points for students

Pathways from CIT to university

View the presentation from the CIT and UC joint pathways webinar 3 September 2025

Continue your study journey beyond CIT with direct pathways into university.

Transitioning from school to CIT

CIT offers a supportive, adult learning environment where students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. While we don’t offer the same level of in-class support as secondary schools, a wide range of services are available to help students succeed. This includes pre-study support to explore course options and readiness.

At CIT, everyone belongs. Our community is built on respect, equity and inclusion.

Learn more about transitioning from school

Learn more about the types of CIT support available

Completing school and not sure what is next? The Australian Government has put together the School Leavers Information Kit to inform young people of the options available and help them make the next move.

Need careers advice?

Completing school and not sure what is next? Talk to a careers professional.

From your school

Students in Years 7 to 12 can access career advice, vocational courses and work experience through their school or college.

  • Career Tools which is a career development digital platform which includes the Career Co-Pilot for students to explore different careers and plan their post-Year 12 pathways. All ACT public secondary schools, and many ACT independent schools have access to this platform.
  • Another option is myfuture, this is Australia’s National Career Information Service. This platform provides free resources to explore career pathways and tools to develop self-knowledge to help with career decision-making.
  • The Australian Government has put together the School Leavers Information Kit to inform young people of the options available and help them make the next move.

From CIT

Young people 17 years or older can study at CIT. School students currently in Year 12 and recent school leavers looking to gain more information about exploring CIT course options to select a suitable CIT course can access CIT’s free Career Advice service by completing the CIT career advice enquiry form.

Experience life as a CIT student

CIT is working on an exciting calendar for 2026. Term 2 events include:

  • Skills for Renewables Schools Showcase
  • Australian Culinary Federation Competition – ACT Regionals (Main course competition and dessert competition)
    • Monday 15 June 2026, morning
    • CIT Woden
    • open to year 10 -12 students studying Commercial Cookery, Hospitality, Food Technology or Home Economics at high school
    • more information
    • register contact ivonne.nathan@cit.edu.au
  • CIT Twilight Enrolment Session

Learn more about CIT and courses available

CIT calendar

The CIT academic calendar lists keys dates for when applications and enrolments open, when semesters start and end, along with Twilight enrolment sessions and Open Day.

CIT course guides and CIT student stories

CIT has a variety of course options available from apprenticeships and certificate-level training to diplomas and graduate certificates. Our comprehensive course guides can help you explore your interests and discover the right course for you.

View CIT’s course guides

Listen to CIT student stories

Campus tours

Join us at CIT Open Day and experience what it’s like to study at Canberra’s leading vocational education provider. See our state-of-the-art facilities in action, meet our expert educators, and talk to our friendly staff to explore your options.

Register to attend CIT Open Day

Information and enrolment sessions

CIT regularly holds information and enrolment sessions throughout the year. These sessions provide the perfect opportunity to speak directly with CIT educators, learn more about your chosen courses, and get answers to your questions.

Find an information session

Are you in Year 12 or recent school leaver?

Learn more about the key dates when applications and enrolments open at CIT for next year or next semester

CIT at career expos and attending your school’s events

CIT is an exhibitor at the Canberra Careers XPO, held annually in August. We also attend various career expos across the ACT and surrounding areas. If you’d like CIT staff to participate in an upcoming career expo at your school, school staff are encouraged to please contact CIT via the enquiry form or email CITSchoolsEngagement@cit.edu.au.

Are you a parent of a young person?

The information and resources on this webpage are dedicated to school students and people that are supporting young people. The below links may be a helpful start:

Enquiries

If you would like more information, please complete the form below and we will be in touch with further details.
All fields marked * are required.

First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Phone number
Name of school*
What best describes you?*
How can we help you?*