Twenty four high schools in South Western Sydney and on the North Coast are to be the first to take part in an Educational Pathways Pilot Program aimed at improving career options for students.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee said 10 different initiatives grouped under the program would be initially trialled in schools in areas that were experiencing higher levels of youth unemployment.
“The program is aimed at making sure students pick the subjects at school that will put them on the right career pathway,” Mr Lee said.
“For some that may mean vocational education and training subjects including apprenticeships, while for others it will be university,” he said.
Mr Lee said the program engaged with industry on some of the initiatives, including one that involved a partnership with the Master Builders Association to promote apprenticeship and traineeship pathways to university.
“Another pilot will see the creation of a specialist Careers Immersion Team that will collaborate with local industry and employers, develop industry partnerships with local schools and broker training and job opportunities for students,” Mr Lee said.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Sarah Mitchell said the program would help not just students but whole communities.
“The skills offered through Pathways are vital to our society,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Through this program, we’re not only helping young people find a suitable pathway into further education and training to maximise their chances of employment but also building up skills in regional areas to keep our economy growing,” she said.
Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women, Bronnie Taylor applauded the Educational Pilot Pathways initiative, saying young people need support to find suitable pathways into work, particularly in drought-affected regions.
