Sharing What Works - Snapshots

Youth Access Program- "…getting schooling, getting an apprenticeship, getting a future…" - Qld

The Youth Access Program provides a quality path through post compulsory education, training and employment leading to completing secondary schooling, vocational qualifications and employment. The program targets young people at risk of leaving school early or who have poor educational achievement and who would have difficulty securing or completing an apprenticeship.

Quotes from participating students …

Clancy
Everyone had given up on me. They told me I would be in jail by the time I was 19. I now know that is not true. I know I can now do things and be useful. The college has given me the chance to show that I am good with my hands. I know I will be able to get a job on a farm and I know I will be able to do the work. I don't want the college to end. It is the best thing I have ever done.

Chris
For some reason when I am here (at college) I can control my temper. At school if something went wrong I would 'crack up' and throw things and end up in big trouble. The other day when the instructor said that I will have to fix up the tool box I was making, I did it. I even worked through morning tea and lunch to get it right. I have never done that before. People think I am no good, but at college they don't think that.

Dave
I was going to leave school at the end of Year 10. I wasn't enjoying it much and I found it a bit difficult. I really wanted to get into the building industry so when I found out I could do that and finish my school studies, I decided to stay at school. My school work improved, I could now make sense out of what I was learning at school. I really enjoyed the program. I like making things with my hands. It was a chance to try out all the different trades. I've been offered a school-based apprenticeship in plastering. I feel pretty special because I know I have a job to go to when I finish school.

For further information, including details on the target group and responsible agency, follow the link to Initiatives targeting Recommendation 22.

Galilee - ACT

Galilee Incorporated is an ACT charity operating youth services including foster care, vocational education and training, registered school, and an education support program.

Galilee's programs are located at Youth Haven farm in the southern suburbs of the ACT. Youth Haven is a property managed by Lions International and has numerous community agencies operating from the site. Young people in Galilee's programs are able to access a range of services delivered by community agencies such as Fusion Australia, local church groups and the Lions Club. The target group is young people aged 10-25.

Education programs range from an alternative registered school on site, to experiences in horticulture at the commercial retail nursery and agriculture across the farm. The education services at Galilee are delivered by a variety of professionals and para-professionals including teachers, community health workers, community education workers and youth workers.

A range of skills development programs at the farm are funded through the Commonwealth Supported Assistance Accommodation Program (SAAP) supporting homeless young people in ACT refuges. The education services at Galilee are funded by ACT Department of Education and Community Services, and Commonwealth Department of Education Science and Training. Most of the young people attain their ACT Year 10 Certificate at the school as well as other work skills and vocational qualifications.

For further information, including details on the target group and responsible agency, follow the link to Initiatives targeting Recommendation 22.

Local Learning and Employment Training Network - Vic

Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network is conducting a model Case Study for an industry-based training course. The Case Study will map and assess partnerships between education and training providers and industry, pathways from school to work and resource opportunities and impediments to innovative education and training solutions.

The project focuses on the development of an Aeronautical Skills Certificate by Kurnai College in partnership with Australia's only aircraft manufacturer, Gippsland Aeronautics, Kangan Batman and Central Gippsland TAFEs.

The project aims to develop innovative pathways for the region's young people, which will address a local skill need in an emerging industry through enhance partnerships between local training providers, industry and the community.

For further information, including details on the target group and responsible agency, follow the link to Initiatives targeting Recommendation 22.

Go For IT - Vic

Ticket Xpress are an Australian company involved in brokering airline tickets and holiday packages. They are a small but quickly growing company based in Melbourne. Through their website ticketing facility they have been successful in obtaining considerable overseas business, especially in the United States of America. Ticket Xpress is in the process of expanding its ticketing and holiday packaging business, to service the increased export sales into the US.

As a consequence they advertised for a number of potential IT trainees and have implemented a formal training program for IT trainee personnel. The program revolves around the Victorian Government's Go For IT program and is focussed on information technology and communication training.

The traineeship involves a combination of traditional classroom training, on the job training and work experience, and is structured on three levels. It commences with Certificate II in Information Technology, progressing to Certificate III in Digital Pre-Press and then to the final stage of Certificate III in International Retail Travel Sales.

Following the successful recruiting program in January 2002, Ticket Xpress has committed to recruit up to 30 new trainees over the next 12 months. Already 10 young people have been offered a traineeship position, and the company is delighted with the aptitude and enthusiasm of the young people recruited under the Go For IT program.

For further information, including details on the target group and responsible agency, follow the link to Initiatives targeting Recommendation 22.