Projects

Introduction

Vocational Rehabilitation Project

Armidale Indigenous Pathways

Lismore Regional Development

Murray Youth Strategy

University Recognition of VIS

Skill Ecosystems

Development of Support Kit to Provide Quality Workplacements for HSC Students in Government Departments

Rural Sustainable Future

Nowra Avionics Network

Knowledge Management Tools

Arabic Community Traineeships

Linking TAFE NSW and CDEP

Innovation Management

Improved VET Outcomes for People with a Disability

Improving VET Outcomes Using Personalised Learning

Northern Rivers Aboriginal Education, Training and Employment Project

Innovations for the Regions

Sustainable Water Management

Skills for Sustainability

Brokering Partnerships for Workforce Development in the New Manufacturing Sector

Gwydir Learning Regional Initiative

Promoting and Enhancing the Flexibility of Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Building the Capacity of Workers providing Alcohol and Other Drug Services to Aboriginal Communities
Promoting Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Innovative Vocational Education in stage 5 of Schooling

From Skill Shortages to Decent Work

The Way Ahead - Apprenticeship and Traineeship Program for Aboriginal People

Pathways to Work - Vocational Education and Training for Arabic Speaking Young Persons

Transitions for Young People with Disability

Promotional Program for Mature Age Workers

Pathways to Work - Vocational Education and Training for Young Arabic Speaking Australians

The Board funded project 'Improved Participation in Apprenticeships and Traineeships by Young People and Employers of Arabic Speaking Background' successfully trialled a transition co-ordinator model linking Arabic speaking young people in the immediate post compulsory years in school to traineeships and apprenticeships supported by Arabic speaking employers. The Board initiated this project to increase young Arabic speakers’ understanding of and participation in vocational education and training and enhance the pathways of young Arabic speakers to employment including employment in areas of skill shortages. The project focussed on young people aged 20-24 who:

• have recently left school and have limited understanding of vocational education and training pathways associated with areas of employment growth and demand, including in the traditional trades

• have withdrawn from post-school study or are identified as being at risk of discontinuing study, as a result of inappropriate vocational pathway choices

• require gap training in order to have their overseas skills and qualifications recognized

The project was implemented from September 2006 to August 2007 by TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute and other key stakeholders, in particular Arabic community and employer organisations including Group Training Organisations.

An information and communication strategy has been implemented through the services of a transition coordinator with the relevant cultural and linguistic skills to support the target group. The project demonstrated that a culturally and linguistically targeted model of service provision makes a positive contribution to the take up and completion of vocational education and training programs and the achievement of employment outcomes by disengaged young people. The project supported 150 people from an Arabic speaking background. The key achievements for project participants are:

• 42 people engaged in post-school vocational education and training, 10 young people in apprenticeships or traineeships and 23 participants in other forms of employment.

• 21 young people ‘at risk’ of leaving school early successfully completed their academic year and 19 of these indicated that they would be returning to school in 2008.

The final report on the project indicates that application of the transition coordinator model to support target group from Arabic communities who are not faring as well as their peers in terms of participation in vocational education and training has resulted in access to employment based training opportunities.

For more information about the Pathways to Work Project, contact Raj Narchal on (02) 9561-1143 or email:raj.narchal@det.nsw.edu.au

Final Report (Adobe pdf)