Career options and the world of workThe Commonwealth Government’s Vocational and Educational Guidance for Aboriginals Scheme (VEGAS) provides funding to encourage innovative programs to assist Indigenous students in making successful choices about their education and careers. The scheme aims to help Indigenous students and their parents by telling them about options for further study and careers; introducing Indigenous school students to University life and teaching methods; helping them to develop study skills; providing access to Indigenous role models in further education and employment; and by assisting Indigenous school students to participate in school-based work experience or Vocational Education and Training (VET) programmes. VEGAS targets Indigenous students enrolled in school from the final year of primary to the final year of high school, and their parents or guardians. The scheme also provides funding to organisations whose projects, aimed at Indigenous prisoners and juvenile detainees, encourage participation in pre-release education and training programmes and post-release education, training and employment programmes. It is also designed to complement school education programmes. More than 700 VEGAS projects were funded in 1998, and nearly 600 in 1999, with Commonwealth expenditure on the programme in 1998–99 amounting to $8.2 million. An allocation of $8.4 million was made for VEGAS projects in 1999–2000. Two examples of innovative projects run under VEGAS are found at The Investigator Science and Technology Centre in Adelaide, and the University of Western Australia in Perth. The Investigator Science and Technology Centre, Adelaide, South AustraliaThe Investigator Science and Technology Centre, Adelaide’s hands-on science centre, runs the “Hands-on Science and Technology for Aboriginal and Islander People” project, to promote science and technology career options. Through mobile displays on various themes, Indigenous students in South Australia can find out about information technology. They include the ‘The Star Dome – A Portable Planetarium’, The Sound House Outreach Kit (a multi-media and music resource for schools), Earth Ball, Solar Panel Toy Propellers, The Laser Science Show, and The Electricity Generator.
As a result of the project, The Investigator Science and Technology Centre in Adelaide is incorporating an Indigenous perspective into its activities and programmes, making the experience of science and technology more accessible and appropriate for Indigenous people. For further information on this project contact: Judy Morris University of Western Australia – Year 12 SeminarsA programme of Year 12 seminars run by the University of Western Australia in Perth, gives Indigenous students in the final years of high school the opportunity to find out about study options and life at university. The Centre for Aboriginal Programmes at the University of Western Australia has run the residential seminar program since 1980. Each year up to 100 Year 12 students from around Western Australia, including Broome, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Karratha and metropolitan Perth attend the seminars. The seminar aims to contribute towards improved further education, employment and training outcomes for Indigenous people by providing an opportunity for Year 12 students to become aware of the wide range of options available to them. During the seminars students visit all the higher education institutions in Perth together with the Aboriginal Centres at each University, where they can compare courses, entry requirements and support services. They meet Indigenous staff and tertiary students in a range of courses, undertake a study skills workshop to raise confidence and motivation and develop peer support, and participate in social and cultural activities. Indigenous students from Western Australia, who are contemplating studying at a tertiary level in the next year, may apply to participate in the five day seminar. While the seminar particularly targets students doing Tertiary Entrance examinations, it is also applicable to students interested in further vocational education. The seminar usually runs in April or May of each year. Seminar participants have gone on to further success in study and employment. Participants have graduated in Law, Arts, Engineering, Education, Media, Performing Arts and Medicine. 
Sandra Eades did a residential seminar for Indigenous Year 12 students in 1984, before enrolling in medicine, and became one of the first Aboriginal doctors in Western Australia. ABC television journalist, Narelle Thorne, attended the Seminar in 1991. As Narelle explains, “the great thing about the seminar is that I met other students in my position from the country. To all Aboriginal students – don’t doubt your abilities ‘cos you can do it!” For further information on the Year 12 Seminar contact: Marilyn Strother |
CONTENTSThis edition of Learning for All provides details of some significant developments in the education and training of Indigenous Australians in the schools, vocational education and training, and higher education sectors. The publication also provides information on research findings and best practice in education. Closing the Gaps – an overview of outcomes for Indigenous students in the different sectors. Introduction – the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, the Hon Dr David Kemp MP. The National Indigenous English Literacyand Numeracy Strategy – a major initiative to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students. Absenteeism investigated – examines the attendance rates of Indigenous students at all levels of schooling and ways to improve them. Is there a relationship between the school success of Indigenous students and positive self-identity? – considers the relationship between school outcomes and the self-identities of young Indigenous Australians. Developing Best Practice with Indigenous New Apprenticeships – identifies innovative ways to implement Indigenous New Apprenticeships. Helping Indigenous students make the transition from school to work – examines how Indigenous students are performing at a number of transition points from school to work. (continued over page) Green Corps – discusses the participation of Indigenous people in this national training programme for young Australians. What Works? – discusses effective teaching strategies, which were trialled in schools throughout Australia during 1998 and 1999. 17 Partners in a Learning Culture – outlines the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 1999–2005. Partners in a Learning Culture – outlines the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 1999–2005. Kardu Kigay – young men in a remote Aboriginal community are helped to develop self-esteem, strengthen English literacy and numeracy skills and gain skills for possible future employment. Territorian takes out top training award – for Indigenous students in the 2000 Australian Training Awards. Career options and the world of work – help for Indigenous students and their parents to make choices about their education and careers. Gumala Mirnuwarni – “coming together to learn”, Indigenous community, schools and industry in the Karratha region of Western Australia work together. WADU “together in partnership and trust” – innovative workplace learning experiences for Indigenous secondary students. Indigenous law students gain work experience – since the 1970s Indigenous law students have been helped to successfully complete their degree. Yandi – an assignment and assessment tracking database to increase the success and retention rates for Indigenous students. Open Learning Initiatives to Assist Indigenous Australians – aim to improve access to education for Indigenous people. The Facts and Figures section – profiles trends in participation by Indigenous Australians across all sectors of education and training.
Questionnaire: Learning for All: Opportunities for Indigenous Australians. – The editors would appreciate your feedback on the pilot edition of Learning For All. |