Collaborative Partnerships as Re-engagement Strategies: Innovative Education Programs for Disadvantaged Young People

By:

Cross sectoral partnerships working in collaboration can develop more enhanced local based solutions to shared community problems. In recognition of the issues affecting early school leavers who possess a range of barriers to participation including; homelessness, criminality, drug and alcohol abuse and/or mental health issues among others, a range of stakeholders came together to form a partnership. This partnership recognised the need to incorporate a holistic approach into an education and training model. Young people with significant barriers require intensive interventions and on going support to be integrated into their learning program. One of the most successful aspects of the program relied on mentoring via the Victoria Police as well as the utilisation of a variety of training and education techniques specifically designed with the learning needs of the participants in mind. Partners included: youth service and training providers, industry, local councils, Local Learning and Employment Networks and the Victoria Police.

Stream: Equity, Social Justice and Social Change; Community, Culture, Globalisation

Paper: A paper has not yet been submitted.

Louise Smith is the Executive Officer of the City Local Learning and Employment Network, a Victorian State Government funded organisation whose purpose is to address retention and re-engagement strategies for at risk young people. Louise has over 23 years experience working in the education, training and employment program sectors. Including secondary school and vocational based tertiary teaching, management of statewide employment programs and the design and implementation of complex human services that leverage education and training interventions as a mechanism for re-engagement in the community. Louise is currently studying a Masters in Applied Science - Organisation Dynamics at RMIT Univeristy, Melbourne and is interested in the interplay of group psychodynamics as it influences learning capacity.