Initiatives targeting Recommendation 18

New South Wales

Industry Education Advisory Committees

The NSW Department of Education and Training established Industry Education Advisory Committees (IEACs) for each of the 40 government school districts. The purpose of each committee is to plan and direct vocational education and training within the district to provide flexible and accessible vocational educational and training pathways of quality and relevance in for students in government secondary schools.

Target group: All government secondary school students.

Coverage: 40 government schools districts.

Timeframe: Ongoing.

Responsibility Agency: NSW Department of Education and Training

Website: www.det.nsw.gov.au

e-Summer Schools Project

The e-Summer Schools project is the result of a NSW Government and industry partnership. e-Summer Schools provide students from socio-economically disadvantaged areas with up to date training in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills and related industry experience for three weeks during the January school holidays. Course work is at TAFE campuses.

On successful completion of the course, the students are awarded certificates of competency that could lead to further study in the ICT industry.

Target group: 300 government school students in Years 9, 10 and 11 in socio-economically disadvantaged areas.

The targeted students generally do not have easy access to computers outside schools and have an interest in employment using information communications technologies. Particular efforts have been made to attract girls and Aboriginal students to e-Summer Schools.

Coverage: 20 e-Summer Schools at 15 TAFE campuses across the State.

Timeframe: Piloted in January 2002 and expected to be ongoing.

Responsible agency: NSW Department of Education and Training.

Website: www.det.nsw.gov.au

Links to Learning Community Grants Program

The Links to Learning Community Grants Program requires funded community organisations to design personalised programs around the needs and interests of the young person, and to develop strategies that involve relevant sporting, arts and civic activities. Funded organisations include registered training organisations, local councils, adult education colleges, who are able to provide next step options which build on key competency development.

The Links to Learning Community Grants Program uses the expertise and networks of community organisations to locate and motivate young people at risk. This includes streetwork strategies based in local youth centres and other locations where young people meet. The community based organisations work with the young person, family and other organisations to provide co-ordinated intensive support to the young person.

Funded organisations assist young people to develop Participation and Pathways Plans. These plans contain individual goals related to the development of the key competencies and the initial steps of a pathways plan that describe how the young people will access and remain in education or accredited training after the Program.

Target group: Young people who are alienated from mainstream institutions and organisations.

Coverage: Areas across the State based on an assessment of needs and quality program submissions.

Timeframe: Ongoing, individual projects are reviewed regularly.

Responsible agency: NSW Department of Education and Training.

Website: www.det.nsw.gov.au/eas/youth