School leaver program helps thousands of young Western Australians

2/7/03
Up to 12,000 Year 10, 11 and 12 Western Australian school leavers are getting a glimpse of their future career opportunities through the State Government's School Leaver Program, currently being run in WA schools.
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter said the program advised young people of the many education, training and job options available to them.
"The School Leaver Program arms young people with the information they need to make informed choices about their future career, education and training paths," Mr Carpenter said.
"Options include further education and training through TAFEWA, as well as pre-apprenticeships.
"Students are also advised of the help available through the Employment Directions Network, a State Government strategy which aims to develop people's capacity to manage their future employment.
"The network also offers support in areas such as resume preparation and other career resources."
Mr Carpenter said the Gallop Government was committed to ensuring young people stayed in some form of education and training for as long as possible, to help maximise their future employment prospects.
"Too many young people are not engaged in any form of education or training," he said.
"Gone are the days when young people could leave school at 15 and expect to gain sustainable employment.
"We are in a knowledge economy which requires a skilled and trained workforce, and we need to provide our young people with the appropriate knowledge and skills to help them become socially and economically viable citizens in our society."
Mr Carpenter said the State Government had allocated more than $2.8million in 2003-04 for training programs, including pre-apprenticeships, tailored to the needs of 15 to 19-year-olds and young people at risk.
Minister's office: 9213 6800