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.
Alternate training programs include:
- Links to Learning
- Connections
- Job Placement, Employment and Training (JPET)
- Indigenous Youth Mobility Program (IYMP)
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
Connections
The Connections program assists young people from the ages of 13 to 19 years of age who have become disconnected from main stream schooling and re-engages them in accredited education, training or employment.
The program offers individually tailored flexible accredited education and training opportunities to young people. Through the program young people may also receive social and life skills training, career support and advice, and access to appropriate referral services to help overcome personal barriers.
The program is underpinned by strong community partnerships, a crucial factor in ensuring a holistic approach to supporting participants is provided.
Funding & Locations
Funded by: Australian Government Department Education, Science and Training
Locations: Bourke, Cowra, Forbes and Narromine
Job Placement, Employment and Training (JPET)
JPET assists young people aged 15 to 21 years to move beyond personal and social difficulties towards training and employment.
The JPET program seeks to bridge the gap between short-term or crisis assistance and employment-related assistance, working collaboratively with existing community support services and networks to give young people the most appropriate support for their needs.
Through assessment and on-going support, JPET helps participants to achieve greater economic and social participation. This is the primary focus before providing transitional assistance leading to an education, employment or training outcome.
Funding & Locations
Funded by: Australian Government Department Employment and Work Place Relations
Locations: Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Condobolin, Forbes, Lake Cargelligo, Nyngan, Parkes and West Wyalong
Indigenous Youth Mobility Program (IYMP)
The IYMP supports Indigenous students from remote towns of Western NSW in accessing training opportunities that may have eluded them due to their location or personal situation.
The objectives of the IYMP are to:
- improve access to training and employment opportunities in major centres for young Indigenous Australians from remote communities
- increase the number of young Indigenous Australians participating in accredited training
- increase the number of Indigenous people employed in occupations in particular areas of community need such as trades, nursing, accountancy, business management and teaching
- support economic development in remote communities by building the capacity of local Indigenous youth to take up skilled jobs in their communities.
New apprenticeships and some tertiary pathways (including nursing, teaching, accounting and business management) are the focus of the IYMP, in recognition of a demand for these qualifications in remote communities. Participants commence training at the most appropriate level for them, for example, pre-vocational training through to Diploman level or higher.
To receive assistance under this program, a young Indigenous person must be from a remote community. In addition they must generally be:
- aged between 16 and 24 years upon commencement of IYMP
- supported by his or her family/community in their decision to relocate to a major centre to undertake a training and employment opportunity.
Funding & Locations
Funded by: Australian Government Department Education, Science and Training
Locations: Dubbo
