Alternate Training

Dream the Pathways assists early school leavers (16 – 24 years), to move beyond personal and social barriers and to engage in accredited training. Strong partnerships with local TAFE colleges allow the Centacare to negotiate courses to meet the interests and skills of participants. Courses are devised to lead towards accreditation for Year 10 and a variety of vocational areas.

Dream the Pathways also provides mentoring and support to young Indigenous students from remote towns of western NSW to access training opportunities in larger regional centres. In partnership with Aboriginal Hostels Ltd, students are able to move to Dubbo to further their education and employment opportunities, under the continued guidance and support of Centacare youth workers.

 

Links to Learning

The aim of the Links to Learning program is to assist young people aged 16 to 24 years who experience multiple barriers to participating in mainstream education or training to remain in, or return to, education or training in order to complete Year 12 or a vocational training equivalent.

Focus is directed towards the improvement of participants' employability skills through improving:

• communication that contributes to productive and harmonious relations with employees and customers
• team work that contributes to productive working relationships and outcomes
• problem solving that contributes to productive outcomes
• initiative and enterprise that contribute to innovative outcomes
• planning and organising that contribute to long and short term strategic planning
• self management that contributes to employee satisfaction and growth
• learning that contributes to ongoing improvement & expansion in employee & company operations and outcomes
• technology that contributes to effective carrying out of tasks
• personal attributes, such as loyalty, commitment, honesty and integrity, enthusiasm, motivation, confidence, common sense, personal presentation, ability to deal with pressure and balance between work and home life.

Centacare approaches this by providing participants with the opportunity to undertake innovative and creative activities in informal learning settings, and to link participants back to education and training. A community-focused approach ensures that strategies are developed to best meet the needs of local young people. The needs of each individual participant are assessed and with strong mentoring guidance and encouragement, the program provides opportunities for self-development and exposure to a diverse range of employment and life opportunities.

Funding & Locations

Funded by: NSW Department Education and Training
Locations: Bourke, Brewarrina and Forbes