- Published:
- Thursday 17 December 2015
The Andrews Labor Government will invest $5.1 million in 2016 to help school students secure work placements and on-the-job training as part of their Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications.
Minister for Education James Merlino said that following an independent review, the current Workplace Learning Coordinator (WLC) Program would be reformed to better meet student needs.
From 2016, each of the state’s 31 Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs), which link education and training organisations, industry and community groups in local areas, will be funded to coordinate structured workplace learning (SWL) opportunities for school students in the state.
A new state wide website will be developed to support the role of the LLENs in helping schools to access SWL opportunities and engage with business to better prepare students for successful post-school transitions.
The independent review of the WLC program found that the existing approach to school-industry engagement faces challenges of scale, inefficiency, fragmentation, duplication and inconsistency. The new SWL approach is part of a suite of Education State initiatives to support young people to stay in education and training.
In September, the Labor Government announced funding of $8.6 million over two years to pilot a Navigator service to provide direct support to disengaged young people, to help them overcome barriers to learning and successfully re-engage with an education or training pathway.
As part of our Education State investment, the Government is also providing an additional $565 million over four years for students who need it most – helping to break the cycle of disadvantage.
The Education State is also preparing our kids for life and work in the 21st century – through new subjects such as digital coding, and ambitious new targets to improve student learning and development including halving the number of students who disengage from education and training.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“We’re investing almost $4 billion to make Victoria the Education State. As part of this, it is crucial that school students and young people get opportunities to undertake work placements and on-the-job training and to build the skills they need for jobs in the 21st century.”
“The new Structured Workplace Learning model will reduce duplication and inconsistency and will increase opportunities for students across Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“This is part of our commitment to save LLENs and is on top of the $32 million over four years we’ve already committed.”
“This funding will make sure Victorian school students have the opportunity to learn the skills they need for the job they want.”