Increasing Vocational Learning Opportunities for Indigenous Students

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Introduction
Objectives
Project scope
Target student group
Project reporting and evaluation
Increasing Vocational Learning Opportunities for Indigenous Students in Juvenile Detention: A National Research Project

Introduction

The Australians Working Together (AWT) package was released in May 2001. As part of the package, $10.2 million was allocated to Promoting self-reliance for Indigenous People. The Department of Education, Science and Training has responsibility for two elements of this package: Working Together for Indigenous Youth (WTIY) and Increasing Vocational Learning Opportunities for Indigenous Students (IVLOIS). In 2005, IVLOIS will increase vocational learning opportunities for around 2,300 Indigenous secondary school-aged students based on local industry options.

Objectives

The objectives of this strategy include:

providing Indigenous students with appropriate workforce skills and competitiveness to make sure that when they exit education and training, they have the skills, knowledge and attributes that will enable them to become productive and employable workers;
developing and strengthening partnerships between schools, government, institutions of higher learning, local business structures, industry and Indigenous parents and communities; and
contributing to addressing the long-term education and employment outcomes of Indigenous communities.

Project scope

Vocational learning is a very broad concept; it is appropriate for all years of schooling and should be experienced by students at all levels of schooling. Vocational learning programmes should have a strong community and employer involvement and make use of local networks which include those two groups, parents, young people and other relevant stakeholders.

Target student group

IVLOIS will provide vocational learning opportunities for Indigenous secondary school and secondary school-aged students, particularly those students who are at risk of disengaging from school.

Project reporting and evaluation

IVLOIS will be evaluated during its operation in 2005. The lessons from this initiative will provide a strong evidence base for how LCPs can effectively engage with Indigenous young people.

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