Thornlie TAFE campus to have counselling service

Thornlie TAFE campus is to be the venue for a special school-leaver counselling service in January.

Announcing the decision today, Education, Employment and Training Minister Kay Hallahan said Thornlie TAFE would be one of 18 counselling centres in metropolitan and country areas for school-leavers who needed advice on education and training options.

The centres were a key part of the State Government's WA Vision of Excellence (WAVE) strategy to assist young people faced with bleak employment prospects and stiff competition for University places in 1992.

Mrs Hallahan said opportunities for young people was the State Government's top priority.

"The more education and training young people pursue, the better chance they have of achieving a rewarding and secure career," she said.

She urged young people to visit the centre for advice and information from qualified counsellors.

"Young people visiting the centres will be able to reserve an education and training place on the spot.

"They will also be able to apply for more than 200 clerical and keyboard positions in the State public service."

The two week counselling service - from January 6 to 17 - coincides with school-leavers formally receiving their TEE results.

Mrs Hallahan said the counselling service was one of a series of State Government initiatives to assist young people, including:

·         providing an extra 2,700 education and training places for school-leavers;

·         creating 650 new apprentice and public service positions for school-leavers;

·         introducing major reforms to upper secondary schooling to provide more intensive career education and job preparation;

·         distributing to 340,000 homes a comprehensive guide to education and training options; and

·         creating opportunities in TAFE for up to 4,800 people by introducing a small TAFE course fee - with wide exemptions for low income earners.