Successful Youth Transitions

Secondary Principals’ Conference

21 May 2004

The Issue

• At any point in time around 10 – 15% of 15 – 19 year olds are not in education, training or work

• This represents somewhere between 27,000 and 40,000 young people

• Not all are at risk – some are moving between activities, or taking ‘time out’

• UK research suggests significant costs for 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training

A transitions frameworkNZ already has many of the features the OECD considers effective, including:

• Well organised pathways connecting education, training and the labour market

• Workplace experience combined with education

• Transitions systems aimed at potential school leavers and unemployed youth

• Good information and guidance about services at school and post school

• Effective institutions and processes

Priorities

• Enhancing careers information, advice and guidance

• Improving coordination of post-school local support services for at-risk youth

• Improving vocational education and training in schools

New funding in Budget 2004

• Budget funding of $56.9 million over four years

• Initiatives are aimed at both school students and school leavers

Budget 2004 cont’d

• New transitions service• Expansion of Gateway to Decile 6• Additional funding for Modern

Apprenticeships• Training Incentive Allowance for teenage

parents• Designing Careers pilot• Enhancements to STAR

Designing Careers

• Two year pilot

• 75 schools

• Every student in year 10

• Selected year 11-13 students

• Ministry of Education will be advertising for expressions of interest in late May/early June

Enhancements to STAR

• Five permanent positions at Colleges of Education

• Development of best practice materials

Next stage priorities• Ensuring adequate access to post-school

foundation skills programmes• Extending the range of work/study options • Enhancing the post-training support available

for at-risk young people• Reviewing the financial incentives available to

support young people to participate in education and training

• Improving the support services available for young people with disabilities

• Identifying future job opportunities in industry

Breaking News… Term Dates 2006-2009

• New dates which will mean:– Starting after Waitangi Day (for all but

2009)– One week holiday mid Term 3 for

secondary and composite schools to cater for national tournaments

– Primary, composite and secondary schools all finishing together, closer to Christmas

– Minimise disruption to NCEA - exams will begin one week later

– Slightly shorter break in April for all schools