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

Young people are referred to the project by teachers at the English Language Centres or schools,by word of mouth or outside agencies. The project workers assist the young people acrosstheir placements and stay with them for as long as needed. All project workers are activelyinvolved in networks across the community. However, the short term nature of the fundingmakes it difficult to put in a substantial amount of time to network with other agencies andraise the profile of the project. Current funding arrangements also impede long term planningand the desire of project workers to evaluate what has been learnt from their experiences inorder to build on the existing knowledge of working with this target group.For the purpose of this case study, students attending the Young Adult Migrant EducationCourse at the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE, Collingwood Campus, were interviewed.This course is an accredited ESL program designed specifically for young migrants. The coreelement of this course is intensive ESL tuition in all skills. The course is designed to developbasic mathematical skills and knowledge, basic keyboarding and computer skills, and to providecareful vocational guidance and planning as well as Vocational Electives. The language levelfor entry is ASLPR 1-2. The course runs full time 21 hours/week over 30 weeks. English andStudy Skills, Maths, Computers, Work Experience, Vocational Electives eg Hospitality,Business, Tourism, Computers and Health and Community services make up the course content.The young people interviewed commented that they liked the program because: “we learnnew things”; “I can practise my English”; “the teachers are good people”; “I can ask questionswhen I don’t understand something”. The students said they felt safe in their environment andthey were treated like adults. Another important factor was that the young people all felt theywere at the same level in their class and did not feel the same sense of failure or that they werebehind in their learning as they had experienced in mainstream secondary schools.Community-basedBridging Education And Training (BEAT)BEAT is a program functioning under the auspices of the Salvation Army. It is a CommonwealthGovernment/ Salvation Army initiative that was originally set up in 1996 to respond to youthhomelessness. BEAT currently has a funding contract with DEETYA under the MAATS AccessProgram. It was funded by the previous government under the Pre-Vocational Programsinitiative. BEAT has two sites operating in metropolitan Melbourne- Collingwood and Footscray.For the purpose of this case study, the Collingwood site is described.BEAT is an example of a community-based program that encourages appropriate education,training and employment pathways for its young target group (aged 14-24). These youngpeople are characterised as multi disadvantaged by way of homelessness, frequent misuse ofalcohol and drugs, and offending behaviours. Young people are referred to BEAT by otheragencies, parents or self. They are often young people who have been unable to accessmainstream education services. A means to re-enter education and training is achieved by theprogram through direct service provision, development of early intervention strategies, casemanagement approach, outreach services and referrals to other agencies.48