Youth Engagement Forum
Sun, Aug 20, 2006; by Bill Coppinger.
Well over 100 participants [including six form the Central Ranges LLEN area] gathered at the Western Bulldogs clubrooms at the Whitten Oval in Footscray on Friday the 18th of August for the State-wide Youth Engagement Forum supported by Local Learning Networks across the state.
The forum had a two-fold purpose , firstly as a forum for Community VCAL practitioners, managers and stakeholders who collaborate to create alternative and engaging education programs for young people who are disengaged from mainstream schooling.
Secondly, it was about focusing on Youth Commitments. This was for LLEN members and stakeholders interested in establishing a collaborative regional approach to sharing responsibility for ensuring that all young people are supported to attain Year 12 or an equivalent qualification.
An outstanding example of the power of this work was presented in the case study from the Grampians by Regional Director of Education, Mr. Malcolm Millar.
In early 2004, Malcolm Millar, Regional Director of the Department of Education and Training in the Grampians Region met with the then Vice Chancellor of the 
University of Ballarat, Professor Kerry Cox to discuss ways in which the University and school sector could work more closely together.
The significant number of young people who get lost both from, and within, the education and training system in the Grampians Region were identified as a shared concern. An outcome of the discussion was a Regional Partnerships Conference, held on 29 July 2004 in Stawell involving over 80 participants from the main education and training sectors, including all secondary and P-12 colleges, the University of Ballarat (TAFE and Higher Education Divisions).
A direct outcome of the conference was the formation of a Partnership Initiatives Planning Group, which in 2005 was formalised as the Initiatives Planning Group of the Grampians Education Partnership.
The key initiative of the Grampians Education Partnership to date has been the development of a regional Youth Options Guarantee.
The vision statement for the Youth Options Guarantee is set out below:
Ensuring that all young people in the Grampians Region achieve Year 12 or an equivalent vocational education and training qualification (including employment with structured training), the acknowledged minimum education required for work and life in the 21st century, will contribute to the development of healthy and creative communities with the skill base necessary for a strong and dynamic regional economy and society.
Minister Kosky recently launched this initiative in Ballarat on 27 July 2006.
Two years in the making, the Youth Options Guarantee is an initiative of the Grampians Education Partnership and will result in a seamless referral and support service to help young people at risk of disconnecting from education and training.
A full outline and presentation of the Youth Options Guarantee can be downloaded from the Central Grampians LLEN web site here
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Practitioners, community leaders and LLEN stakeholders participated in a series of workshops that combined discussions that focused on the practicalities and operational challenges of initiatives such as Community-Based VCAL programmes. Co-ordinators and project partners were able to share examples of models and methods that were working successfully across the state.
The meeting also considered the linkages and opportunities for combined effort of initiatives such as community vcal projects and region-wide "youth option guarantees".
A highly successful and motivating day that will no-doubt add much momentum to the task of statewide coordination of support for young people.
Related Links and Further information
The Grampians Education Partnership - G . E. P
- Community Based VCAL - Central Ranges LLEN
For further information on the 'G.E.P' project, please contact David Wheaton, CEO Central Grampians LLEN.
