Supporting young people in transition from compulsory schooling to further education, training or employment is essential. The provision of education and training options that are aligned with industry demand for skills and meet the needs and aspirations of young people is a current focus in Tasmania. Planned action in this area will address these needs.
The intention of this Action Area is to:
- provide relevant, industry aligned training pathways for young people;
- support young people to stay in education, training and employment; and
- provide a range of targeted programs to attract and retain students.
From the end of 2007 all students completing Year 10 in Tasmania are required to continue to participate in education and training until they turn 17 or achieve a Certificate 111. Recent research says that young people who stay in education or training after Year 10 will have more opportunities and more chance of choosing what they want to do (15). The Youth Participation in Education and Training (Guaranteeing Futures) (16) legislation and the supporting Guaranteeing Futures (17) programs aim to achieve this.
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Qualifications and Skills for Tasmanian Tomorrow (18) provides greater post Year 10 options through three new organisations. The Tasmanian Academy will focus on academic learning for Year 11 and 12 students seeking university entrance. The Tasmanian Polytechnic will focus on applied learning, with a vocational pathway. The Tasmanian Skills Institute will focus on skills development for employees in enterprises, in line with their enterprise’s skills needs. The initiative will commence in January 2009.
Skills Tasmania has significant influence over this Action Area due to involvement in purchasing arrangements for Tasmania Tomorrow, the Apprenticeship and Traineeship system and school based vocational learning for students. |
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Melanie McCoy, School Based Apprentice of the Year (2008)
“Continuing education past Year 10 was really important and has lead to opportunities to develop skills and knowledge. Becoming a skilled member of the workforce while still in my senior years of education has allowed me to progress my career.” |
(15) The Cost of Dropping Out: The economic Impact of Early School Leaving, Business Council of Australia, 2003
(16) Youth Participation in Education and Training (Guaranteeing Futures) Act 2005 (No. 13 of 2005)
(17) Guaranteeing Futures
(18) Tasmania Tomorrow
Performance Measures & Targets:
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Decrease the percentage of 15 – 19 year olds not employed or in education (Tasmania Together) |
| Current (2007): |
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9.6% |
| 2010: |
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7% |
| 2015: |
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5% |
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Increase apparent retention from Year 10 to 12 (Tasmania Together)
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| Current (2007): |
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65.3% (Tasmania – lowest performing state) |
| 2010: |
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best performing state |
| 2015: |
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best performing state |
Activity in this area:
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Tasmanian Skills Strategy
Increase Participation in Work and Community
