The traditional trade of hairdressing has proved popular at the school for female students together with diesel fitting and electrical apprenticeships for male students.

Spinifex State College careers advisor Lisa Reddicliffe said the school offers various pathways for year 11 and 12 students to get a taste of different trades to make decisions easier.

"Trades are on trend at the moment , especially with the great access we have to apprenticeships with local businesses and at the mines," Mrs Reddicliffe said.

She said her advice to students when it comes to choosing career pathways, 'follow your dreams'.

"It's all about setting goals and working hard to reach them to make your dream career a reality," Mrs Reddicliffe said.

Year 11 students at the College yesterday participated in a careers morning entitled 'planning for the future' which emphasised the importance of making well informed career decisions.

Principal Denise Kostowski said students were able to develop a mini career plan, set career goals and had access to a career information website 'myfuture'.

"Past Spinifex State College students and guest speakers represented various trades and professions from the community and presented a short speech on their varied, interesting career journeys," she said.

Past students and first year apprentice electrical fitter mechanics, Samuel Brisbane and Christopher Tyson said one handy tip for students looking to apply for apprenticeships was to get in early and research ways to gain experience while still at school.

"I applied for the Xstrata bursary which enabled four weeks of work experience in the role I was looking at doing," Samuel said.

Christopher said school based traineeships were great when it came to gaining more experience before leaving school.

"It really helps when it comes to deciding where you want to go after finishing and when it comes time to choose the right subjects," he said.

Steve Hirvonen, Angela Zielinski, Ben Young, Justine Callaghan, Roux Meyer and past students Bronte Donaldson, Stephanie Smith, Kain Barnwell, Thomas Glasson, Christopher Tyson, Katii-Ann Batty, Eliza Freeman, Joshua Celona, Samuel Brisbane and Thomas Ketchup were guest speakers at the event.