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.
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.
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.
The Australian Government has established a national network of LCPs that offer a range of vocational and enterprise education opportunities to young Australians. This national network of LCPs is developing or has developed effective partnerships between schools, industries, businesses and local communities to support the delivery of vocational and enterprise education.
Consequently, IVLOIS will resource LCPs in targeted locations to support the development of a range of meaningful locally-based vocational learning opportunities that are built around elements such as:
- general employability skills;
- enterprise education;
- career education; and
- community and work based learning.
This strategy does not intend to define a single element or combination of elements that are considered to be successful in implementing vocational learning programmes that meet the specific needs of Indigenous students. It is expected that projects will incorporate one or more of these elements in the provision of vocational learning opportunities for Indigenous students. The exact mix of opportunities would depend on the local communities.
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.
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.
The aim of this Project, undertaken by Youth Education Centre, was to research, explore and better inform the development of approaches and support for increasing vocational learning opportunities for Indigenous students in juvenile detention. The Project identified what are the 'service gaps' in the delivery of vocational education from an Indigenous youth perspective, analysed what is currently available and made recommendations for improved vocational education delivery.