Victoria University’s Youth Strategy is aimed at better supporting, training and guiding the thousands of young people aged 16-19 without Year 12 or its equivalent currently enrolled in VU courses.

About 3,500 of VU’s course enrolments are linked to young people in this category - Early School Leavers. They are spread across 43 key courses ranging from Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) to pre-apprenticeship, traineeship and Vocational Certificate qualifications.

Research shows that young people who have not attained a Year 12 or equivalent require additional support to make sure they are successful at achieving a qualification. This support is delivered through the Youth Strategy.

Focus of the Youth Strategy

The Victoria University Youth Strategy actively provides support in key areas, including:

• Language Literacy and Numeracy
• Embedded Career Education
• Youth Support and Learning Plans
• Youth-Friendly Learning Experiences
• Community Engagement and Partnerships

The Youth Strategy focuses not only on students (who will each undertake a personal learning plan), but also on teachers and program managers (who receive support to improve student completion rates and attainment).

Youth Retention officers and Youth Smart coordinators help students identify any barriers they think might prevent them from learning and provide individual support during their program.

Getting started

It can be difficult to get started, and to stay committed to a course – Associate Director, Youth, Jo van Son comments: “The issues might be around fees, getting out of bed on time, obtaining timely career advice, or helping young people find the right course once they realise what they’ve enrolled in isn’t for them,” she said.

Practical support

Here is an example of the practical support students receive. In a week long program for two separate groups of pre-apprentice students (Carpentry & Bricklaying) students were introduced to a number of learning opportunities around Industry safety and first aid. But they also had input from Youth Strategy staff, who took an active role in promoting student success through:

• Early identification of students with financial barriers impacting on ability to pay enrolment fees and providing supported referral to Student Support services for financial assistance and options
• Facilitating 'team building' exercises
• Anti-bullying workshop
• Co-facilitation of 'Getting Started' - an online LLN assessment to identify students with high level Literacy and Maths needs
• Providing material aid such as Met Tickets for those students at risk of non-completion due to short term financial barriers
• Recognition of the retention value of celebration and ritual by funding and delivering a BBQ at the completion of the week-long program for students, teachers, managers and industry representatives
• Co-ordination of a presentation by Incolink to raise students' awareness of various support services available to them regarding gaining employment, personal and financial counselling, and 'out of trade' assistance programs for those who may become unemployed during their formal apprenticeship training program.

Youth Smart staff provide support across 43 targeted courses for students to identify their own educational and personal goals , their strengths, their personal learning styles and the possible issues which might stand in their way of achieving their goals.

Courses and Programs

The Youth Strategy provides a range of course options for Early School Leavers and alternatives for those thinking about leaving school. Through our various Youth Programs we help you to grow your skills and interests.

• The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is an accredited senior school certificate which gives practical, experiential education and training.
• Pre-apprenticeships - a hands-on fast track course that prepares you for becoming an apprentice
• Vocational Certificates - a vocational course to prepare you for work or further studies
• English as a Second Language (ESL) - English not your first Language? ESL is a course that will assist you to improve your English Language skills before tackling a Degree, Vocational or Apprentice qualification.
• Vocational Education and Training in Schools - VETiS
• Work Education - for youth with special needs