Providing Education and Training for At Risk ... - Victoria University

The major outcome sought from this project was a final report which identified programs andresources for the target group of young people, and which included:• accredited VET programs including traineeships and modules within the VET sector;• VCE programs including VET in schools programs;• specific literacy, numeracy and technology programs;• programs and resources which assist in developing work readiness skills and keycompetencies of young people;• relevant Curriculum and Standards Framework course advice; and• community base programs, non-government programs and other appropriate programs.The report was also required to identify the existing gaps in provision, and to provide adviceon the implementation of:• a school program based totally on site;• a program including school, TAFE and off site elements; and• a program that is delivered entirely off site, i.e. away from either school or TAFE locations.Structure of ReportThis report contains the following chapters:The Introduction includes information pertaining to the circumstances leading to theestablishment of the project, as well as an overview of the methodology applied to theorganisation of the project and the collection and analysis of data.The Review of Literature contains a review and analysis of local, national and internationalpublished documentation related to the design and conduct of effective education and/or trainingprograms for students identified as “at risk” or who have already left school and are deemed tobe “alienated youth.”Mapping the Field describes the conduct and outcomes of the survey of programs, resourcesand personnel associated with them. It is in two parts with the first section focussing on themapping of existing programs and resources, and the Stage 1 interviews with program personnel.The second part focuses on the Stage 2 on-site and telephone interviews with stakeholders andparticipants from the selected programs.Program Models outlines programs selected because they are consistent with the benchmarksestablished in the review of literature, represent models with potential for replication, andwhich appear to work effectively with the target group that are the focus of this project.Characteristics of Programs that Work discusses the key features to emerge from the fieldresearch in a context of four principles of effective programs for ‘at risk’ young people whichwas developed from the review of literature. It also includes some discussion on the matchbetween the selected programs and the on-site and off-site categories listed in the ProjectBrief. Implications for the planning of future programs for the target group are identified anddiscussed here.The Conclusion draws the findings from the previous sections together and includesrecommendations for good program design and implementation.An executive summary precedes the body of the report.12