STRONGER LEARNING PATHWAYS INITIATIVE Progress Report August 2004
CRADLE COAST SUSTAINABLE REGIONS PROGRAM STRONGER LEARNING PATHWAYS INITIATIVE
PROGRESS REPORT – August 2004
Participation in post-compulsory education, training and employment is the single highest priority issue for sustainable development of the Cradle Coast region. The Stronger Learning Pathways Initiative is the result of collaboration between the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Education Department, TAFE Tasmania, and the Cradle Coast Authority, and is designed to improve rates of participation and retention in education and training in the Cradle Coast region (north-west and west coast of Tasmania). An investment program of $2m over three years has been allocated by the Cradle Coast Sustainable Regions Advisory Committee from the Sustainable Regions program, a major initiative of the Australian Government’s Stronger Regions: A Stronger Australia statement of August 2001. Stronger Learning Pathways was formed in October 2002, and began in earnest in February 2003 with the appointment of a Project Officer. Five major projects have been funded to date, plus a number of smaller projects and initiatives. • • • • • • • • •
Arthur District Student Pathways Project (2004-2006) Barrington District Personal Futures Project, incorporating the Central Coast School-Business Alliance Project (2004-2006) Learning Leading – Creating A Community Of Lifelong Learning (2004-2006) Skilling The Cradle Coast Community For The Twenty-First Century (2004-2006) Creating Attitudinal Change To Education And Training In The Cradle Coast Region – Stage 1 (2004) Central Coast Training Needs Analysis (2004) Community Education Forums And Committees (2003 Ongoing) Stronger Learning Pathways Statistics Project (2003-2006) OPCET-Stronger Learning Pathways Project (2004)
While not created as a formal strategy, these projects provide a region- wide network of interlinked activities and personnel which is being driven by the common purpose of the main education agencies – namely the Tasmanian Education Department, the University of Tasmania, and TAFE Tasmania – in partnership with each other and with the wider community and the business sector of the Cradle Coast region.
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From the Project Officer What Are We Doing? The Stronger Learning Pathways initiative has committed $1.85m of the $2m allocated under the Cradle Coast Sustainable Regions Program. Five major projects have received funding support, as well as a number of smaller initiatives. Significant project partner commitment brings the total investment in Stronger Learning Pathways projects to over $5m, which will be spent in the region over the next three years. It is estimated that there will be approximately 20 new positions created through the Stronger Learning Pathways projects and initiatives, all working to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for the people of the region. This significant investment covers many aspects relating to improvements in educational participation and retention. A key feature of all Stronger Learning Pathways projects is the high level of cooperation between a range of different partners. Assistance to school students in successful pathway and career planning is a major initiative underway across the region, and involves all 63 state schools in the region. Student Pathways Officers and Personal Futures and Transition Officers will be working in every High School and District High School in the region, through the Arthur and Barrington District projects. Don and Hellyer Colleges will also obtain assistance. Support to families and parents of Primary School students will be provided through these two projects. Significant professional development for teachers is also planned. School students with an interest in science will be encouraged to pursue career pathways in science and technology through the Skilling the Cradle Coast for the 21st Century project run by the University of Tasmania. Local industry is a strong supporter of this project, as are local schools and teachers. Young people in the Central Coast district can look forward to close collaboration between their schools and the business community through the Central Coast School-Business Alliance Project. Coordination of existing initiatives and the development of new ones will provide young people with enhanced opportunities for successful futures. The Central Coast Council is playing a leading role in this project, along with local schools and businesses. A four-way collaboration in the Circular Head area is providing impetus for the creation of a community of learners. Circular Head Council, University of Tasmania, TAFE Tasmania, and the Education Department through Arthur District Office and local schools are involved in Learning Leading, a complex of projects and programs aimed at increasing participation in learning in the local community. Entrenched cultural attitudes to education and training are under review through a project called Creating Attitudinal Change To Education And Training In The Cradle Coast Region. This will attempt to enhance the profile of education and training by targeting specific groups in the community with appropriate messages and strategies. Wide community-based consideration of education and training has been encouraged through the establishment of a number of community education committees. These committees have strong involvement from the education agencies, local government, and local business and community interests. Stronger Learning Pathways is involved in a number of other associated projects to support its work, including research and data gathering. In addition, the value of the role of the Project Officer, based at the Cradle Coast Authority, is one that should not be undervalued in providing support, information, and co-ordination to stakeholders across the region. 3
What Outcomes Are We Expecting? The main focus of the Stronger Learning Pathways initiative is to improve the Cradle Coast region’s overall participation in education and training, and firmly establish a learning culture in the region. While individual projects have their own stated outcomes, it is anticipated that a concerted and concentrated focus on education and training will bring about long-term changes to the delivery and take-up of education and training services in the region. As a result of the Stronger Learning Pathways projects and associated activities, the following outcomes are anticipated: • more students participating in post-compulsory education and training • higher retention rates and greater completion rates amongst people undertaking post-compulsory education and training, including TAFE and University studies • higher enrolments in science and technology courses at TAFE and University • more people employed in science and technology related jobs and careers in the region • greater understanding of and support for education and training from individuals, families and communities in the region • enhanced support for young people from the business sector in the Central Coast area • greater co-operation between the education, business, and community sectors across the region to deliver successful education and training outcomes • improved community attitudes to education and training in the region • a firmly established and sustainable network of people and agencies working to maximize educational opportunities in the Cradle Coast region
What Is Still To Do? One area that is under the spotlight is that of skills shortages in many industry sectors of the economy. This is becoming a major national issue, and a group of representatives from local metal manufacturing businesses has been meeting with education sector agencies and others to explore possibilities of a local initiative to address the issue. Discussions are on-going. The Stronger Learning Pathways office has an on-going responsibility to assist with the roll-out, management, and co-ordination of projects, and the development of new ones. Provision of advice and information is becoming increasingly important as the education and training ‘industry’ becomes ever more complex. A key role here is the ability to put people in touch with each other, and create more effective networks across the region, and across industry sectors. It is also important that the office is aware of new funding opportunities as they arise from either government, community or business sources.
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CRADLE COAST AUTHORITY SUSTAINABLE REGIONS PROGRAM STRONGER LEARNING PATHWAYS INITIATIVE Progress Report – August 2004 ARTHUR DISTRICT STUDENT PATHWAYS PROJECT (2004-2006) The major objective of this project is to build an Arthur Education District model to assist young people plan and implement realistic education and employment futures. The project is inclusive of all 31primary, secondary and senior secondary schools in the Arthur District and key strategies include • individual case management of students • professional learning for teachers and transition workers Key goals of the project: Goal 1: To address the educational needs of highly at-risk, disengaged young people in the 16-19 year old cohort who are not connected to Hellyer College, TAFE or any mainstream training organization. Goal 2 Individual pathway and career planning and transition support is available for all grade 10 students to assist them to remain in education beyond the compulsory years. Goal 3 Career and pathway planning is commenced in Year 7/8, continues into Year 9 and is a vital part of the course selection process for students and parents throughout the high school years. Goal 4 For students, parents and teachers in the primary sector to develop an “understanding of the work environment, career options and pathways as a foundation for, and positive attitudes towards, vocational education and training, further education, employment and life-long learning” (Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs, 1999; The Adelaide Declaration on National Goals for Schooling in the Twenty-First Century). Goal 5 Training and professional learning for all teachers so that they can provide high quality pathway planning and transitional support to young people throughout all the years of schooling. How will this be achieved? • 9 Student Pathway Officers have been employed to work in the first year of the project in the High Schools of the district – Burnie, Parklands (Burnie), Wynyard, Yolla, Smithton, King Island, Rosebery and Mountain Heights (Queenstown), plus Hellyer College in Burnie. • In the second year of the project, Student Pathway Officers will work with the Primary Schools of the district • Professional development is provided to teachers and Student Pathways Officers Project Partners Arthur District Office 31 State schools in the Arthur District Funding State contribution: $819,000 Sustainable Regions: $544,000 Total project funding: $1,363,000
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BARRINGTON DISTRICT PERSONAL FUTURES PROJECT, INCORPORATING THE CENTRAL COAST SCHOOL-BUSINESS ALLIANCE PROJECT (2004-2006) This project is designed to develop a regional model for provision of support to young people to improve their participation and retention in education and training. This project has two components – the Barrington District Personal Futures Project, and the Central Coast School-Business Alliance Project Barrington District Personal Futures Project The project is inclusive of all 28 primary, secondary and senior secondary schools in the Barrington District. The project’s primary goals are to: 1. Improve parent expectations for student participation in lifelong learning. 2. Enhance careers advice and pathway planning to students and their parents/careers particularly at years 5, 8 and 10. 3. Provide relevant professional learning for teachers across all sectors and community and business members around careers and pathways planning consistent with the Personal Futures essential of the Department of Education’s curriculum framework. 4. Identify and provide support for identified students up to 19 years of age at risk of not being engaged or retained in education and or training. 5. Foster community and business partnerships with education providers to enhance educational, training and employment outcomes for young people How will this be achieved? • 6 Personal Futures Officers and Transition Officers, to work on personal pathway planning with students in high schools of the district: Sheffield, Latrobe, Devonport, Reece (Devonport), Penguin, Ulverstone • a Pathway Support Officer based at Don College • 3 Parent Liaison Officers to work with families and parents of young students • Supporting programs and initiatives, including professional development for teachers Project Partners Barrington District Office 28 State schools in the district University of Tasmania Central Coast School-Business Strategic Alliance Project This project developed from a community education forum, and has the following goals: 1. coordinate existing relationships, build sustainable structures to support new initiatives and programs between the school sector and businesses in the Central Coast municipal area; 2. provide leadership in the development of new initiatives and relationships between schools and the local business community; 3. create community capacity to support local young people in successful learning outcomes and their transition from school to further education or employment; 4. engage unemployed youth, 5. provide processes to enhance understandings between the school sector and the business sector in terms of support for young people, including professional development and exposure to national and international best practice How will this be achieved? • A fulltime Coordinator employed for two years to work with schools, local businesses and the wider community. • Work with schools, businesses, community organisations, job network and placement agencies and young unemployed people 6
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supporting programs
Project Partners Central Coast Council Leven Training Inc Ulverstone High School Penguin High School Leighlands Christian School Barrington/Central Coast Combined Funding Applicant and Partner contribution: $810,152 Sustainable Regions: $620,000 Total project funding: $1,431,152 LEARNING LEADING – CREATING A COMMUNITY OF LIFELONG LEARNING: CIRCULAR HEAD EDUCATION AND TRAINING CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (2004-2006) This project aims to build a community culture of life long learning and commitment to learning pathways in the Circular Head district. The project partners aim to take a leadership approach, where the community can be assisted to implement specific co-ordinated projects and activities that will increase participation and retention in formal education, training and employment. A community transformation model is proposed, where the project partners assist the community in: Increasing the value of lifelong learning, education and training Implementing education and training strategies for young people Increasing adult participation in higher education Increase business participation in training Informing the community of the value of life long learning monitoring the impact of the above on employment How will this be achieved? A full-time Change Leader will assist project partners to implement a variety of programs: Department of Education, Arthur District • Learning Community Partnerships • Coach a Kid – mentoring program • Student Publishers – community newsletter • Student Pathways Model grade 6 – 10 • Youth Learning Officer Circular Head Council • Partnership management • Allocation of project resources • Co-ordinate CHETCC • Student Pathways project support through CHC Youth Program • Education Access Strategy • Community forums • Youth Consultative Strategy University of Tasmania • Network of University Learners 7
Student Support Network Enabling University Study, University Preparation Program Graduate Role Model Program TAFE Tasmania • Business Development Officer • Partnership agreement between TAFE, Business Enterprise Centre, and local businesses • Workplace learning program • Communication strategy Project Partners Department of Education, Arthur District Circular Head Council University of Tasmania TAFE Tasmania Funding Applicant and Partner contribution: $544,780 Sustainable Regions: $347,500 Total project funding: $890,280 • • •
SKILLING THE CRADLE COAST COMMUNITY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY – UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA (2004-2007) This proposal uses the vehicle of science and technology to increase student participation in education, training and subsequent employment in the Cradle Coast Region. By engaging students and teachers in high schools and colleges, through the vehicle of science and technology, this program will: • Increase the interest and relevance of science to students; • Broaden and raise the profile of careers relating to science based industries; • Clarify training, education and career pathways for these students; • Deliver brief industry based professional learning sessions for science teachers; • Further enlist teachers as ambassadors and hence serve to rejuvenate and retain good teachers; • Provide “cross linking” support to Natural Resource Management, Tourism, Agricultural, Food and Windfarm related industries and other technologies in the Cradle Coast Region; • Ultimately provide trained and highly educated personnel to meet the needs of the emerging and current industries in the Cradle Coast Region This program will actively promote science as a vibrant, modern career path of particular relevance to talented young people. To achieve this, this three-year program will through collaboration with education and industry partners: • Develop industry science based classroom support materials to highlight and emphasize the relevance of classroom science and the importance of career opportunities associated with science based industries; • Provide high school and college students with a range of opportunities to interact with science-based industries in the Cradle Coast Region. • Deliver high quality and pertinent professional learning opportunities to assist in motivating and retaining science teachers in the region. How will this be achieved? • employment of a Science Education Officer, who will work with a team consisting of the Project Manager (0.2 FTE), Assistant (0.5 EFT), and joined from time to time by industry and academic research scientists, in addition to University/TAFE students 8
Project Partners University of Tasmania TAFE Tasmania Tasmanian Education Department Industry - various Science Teachers Association of Tasmania Funding Applicant and Partner contribution: $631,500 Sustainable Regions: $525,000 Total project funding: $1,156,500
CREATING ATTITUDINAL CHANGE TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE CRADLE COAST REGION – STAGE 1 (2004) The Stronger Learning Pathways Reference Group considers that it is important to raise the profile of education and training in the Cradle Coast region in order to effect a cultural change in the way people value education and training. To this end the Reference Group has decided to implement a campaign to promote and showcase the value of education and training for the communities and individuals of the region. The campaign will be designed to specifically target distinct groups of learners or potential learners, and to deliver messages in the most appropriate and effective way for each group. How will this be achieved? • engagement of a Consultant to design and develop a campaign to promote and showcase the value of education and training in the Cradle Coast region. Outcomes of Stage 1 will be considered before proceeding to Stage 2 – implementation of the campaign. Funding Stage 1 Consultant fees - $15,000 CENTRAL COAST TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS – CENTRAL COAST YOUTH ENGAGED! STEERING COMMITTEE (2004) Consultant Warren Moore was engaged to undertake a training needs analysis for the Central Coast municipal area, incorporating Penguin and Ulverstone. The impetus came from a proposal to further develop the Penguin Skills Centre, and create a community facility away from Penguin High School. An understanding of local of demand for training courses was considered a prerequisite before any decision could be made. The report has been finalized and has produced a number of observations and recommendations for the Central Coast Youth Engaged! Steering Committee to consider Funding Consultant Fees - $8,000
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COMMUNITY EDUCATION FORUMS AND COMMITTEES (2003 ONGOING) Community Education Forums have been held in the Central Coast, Waratah Wynyard, and West Coast municipal areas. The purpose of the Forums was to provide an opportunity for communitywide discussions about education and training, and how each community would like to respond to the new world of life-long learning, and whole-of-community responsibility for learning, education and training. Central Coast Forum – 2nd October 2003 Over 60 people attended the Central Coast Forum, entitled “Building a Vibrant Community - Youth Engaged”. A wide cross-section of the community was represented, and it was decided to create a Steering Committee to plan further actions and activities, and involve the whole community in the learning process of their young people. Council was nominated as the coordinator of the process, a role it was happy to accept. A representative committee was establish, called the Central Coast Youth Engaged Education Committee, with representatives from Council, schools, university, TAFE, business sector, community groups, youth, training organizations. The Committee has met monthly since the Forum and engaged in a number of activities. It recently established the Central Coast School-Business Alliance Project, and employed a Co-ordinator for the next two years. The Committee continues to take an active interest and role in educational matters affecting the Central Coast. Waratah-Wynyard Forum – 30th September 2003 Over 30 people attended the forum titled “Learning Together and Working in Partnership”. The Forum considered ways that the Waratah-Wynyard community could develop a communityeducation-business partnership as a means of developing into a Learning Community. The Forum attracted a cross-section of the community, and decided that the local Council should play a lead role in the on-going support of a process that brings together all the sectors of the local community to discuss and shape the delivery of education and training services in the local area. A Committee was established, but has had difficulty becoming an effective body. It has recently reconvened (July 2004), and is pursuing the issue of early childhood education as a focus. West Coast Forum – 8th October 2003 Over 60 people attended the West Coast Forum, entitled “Community is at the Heart of Learning”, which was designed to allow members of the local communities to have a say about any issues of concern regarding educational matters, and to provide a way forward to build on and improve educational services on the West Coast. Many issues were canvassed at the Forum, and it was agreed that the organizing Steering Committee should be responsible for setting up a larger committee to take the process forward, under the guiding support of the West Coast Council. This Committee has had some difficulty becoming established, and did not meet for 6 months. A new Committee has recently been established (July 2004), with representatives from Council, schools, Education Department, university, TAFE, community, and business. Funding for Forums Consultant fees - $15,000 10
STRONGER LEARNING PATHWAYS STATISTICS PROJECT (2003-2006) A project has been started with the University of Tasmania and the Office of Post-Compulsory Education and Training to collate specific statistics relating to educational performance in the Cradle Coast region. Indices relating to enrolments, participation and retention are being collected to provide a picture of educational participation in the region. This will allow for more effective evaluation of the outcomes of projects funded through Stronger Learning Pathways. The same set of statistics will be collected each year for 3 years Project Partners Cradle Coast Authority University of Tasmania Department of Education OPCET-STRONGER LEARNING PATHWAYS PROJECT (2004) The 2001 Year 10 Destination Survey is a project of the Office of Post-Compulsory Education and Training, which tracks the progress and destinations of Tasmanian students who were in Year 10 in 2001. It will track the students until December 2004, which will be one year after they complete Year 12. The project will provide useful data on the retention of students through the education system. Stronger Learning Pathways has provided $5000 to enable further analysis of data to be carried out by Stephen Lamb of Melbourne University. This will provide data analysis specific to the Cradle Coast region, and provide an in-depth look at the destinations of students from schools in the region Project Partners Cradle Coast Authority Department of Education Funding Research funds - $5000
Contact and further information For further information on the Stronger Learning Pathways initiative, or any project details, please contact Project Officer Nick Flittner at the Cradle Coast Authority (03) 64316285 0400 591037 (mobile) nflittner@cradlecoast.com http://www.cradlecoast.com 11