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GOLD
COAST YOUTH COMMITMENT FORUM • COMMITTEE [as at JAN 2002]
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GOLD
COAST YOUTH COMMITMENT FORUM • N E W S L E T T E R - NO. 8 August 2003 Download Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 or above to view PDF files. You can download a free copy from the Adobe web site. |
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GOLD
COAST YOUTH COMMITMENT FORUM • P
R O G R E S S R E P O R T
[DEC
2001]
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2001: The MOU is between the National Youth Commitment Project Group and the Gold Coast Youth Commitment. The agreement is for a period of 2 years and outlines what each party expects to achieve. Completed an Environmental Scan in May 2001 The Scan provides a comprehensive view of the Gold Coast Youth environment including socio-economic and demographic data, participation in employment and education; post school experiences and service provision gaps; transition pathways; work experience and unemployment. It identified key areas of disadvantage within the region and identified the following risk factors impacting on our youth as impediments to successful transition from school to independence.
Formed a Management Committee in August 2001 The Committee consists of key influential people within the community from business, community and government sectors. All members are unswerving in their support of the project and are committed to a shared responsibility and a collaborative approach to address issues for youth in their transition into adult life. Surveyed Schools in Region A Survey was conducted during August for all years 9, 10 and 11 students to ascertain if they were considering leaving school early and what they would hope to do if leaving early. High Schools from Coolangatta to Beenleigh were surveyed. 27% were identified as at risk of leaving school early. Many had unrealistic expectations regarding work or training opportunities. Established Working Parties: Working Parties have been established to work on key goals that aim to assist with a seamless transition for youth from school to adult life. Members of these Committees are representatives from all key stakeholders who give their time voluntarily. Employed a Project Co-ordinator: Through the provision of ECEF (Enterprise and Career Education Foundation) funding, the Project employed a Part Time Consultant as Co-ordinator in June 2001. The Co-ordinator’s role is to provide liaison between all stakeholders and achieve the goals set by the Management Committee. Conducted Community Presentations: The Coordinator and Management Committee Members regularly present information to community, schools and business including an overview of the Commitment, outcomes of the Environmental Scan and Schools Survey and Working Party updates. Writing of Tender Submissions: In October 2001, the Commitment in conjunction with SCISCO applied for Commonwealth funding two pilot projects - Career and Transition Officer Projects and Innovative and Collaborative Youth Servicing Projects. Development of a Strategic Plan: Currently, the GCY Commitment is developing its Strategic Plan for a 2-year period. The Plan is designed to meet the needs of the MOU and the region as well as the outcomes of the Environmental Scan. Signing of a Spirit of Co-operation: It is our aim to have all stakeholders sign a Spirit of Co-operation ensuring that the broader community is involved in seeking and providing solutions for our youth. |
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GOLD
COAST YOUTH COMMITMENT • N
E W S P A P E R A R T I C L E [DEC
2001]
Headline:
Gold Coast youths are facing an employment crisis, according to the first report aimed at investigating the education and job rates of Gold Coast young people. Released yesterday, the report shows more than 1500 Gold Coast senior high school students drop out every year and more than a third of 15-19 year-olds are not in any form of education. More than 20 per cent of them are unemployed while nearly half of those who do work have part-time jobs. Population estimates show the number of young people in that age group will nearly double by 2011 and the report authors fear many of them will end up in unemployment queues if current trends continue. The Gold Coast Youth Commitment Forum instigated the report last year as a basis to launch an attach on school drop-out rates and increase the number of kids finishing Year 12. GCYCF chairwoman Fran Jones, who is principal of Keebra Park State School, said the report was the first time key stakeholders had hard data to work with to try to turn things around. "Now we know what we're working with," she said. "There are 1500 students dropping out of school every year and that's too high. "Everybody (involved with GCYCF) is saddened by the numbers, particularly the part-time employment statistics, the drop-out statistics and the fact that a large proportion aren't in any form of education at all. "If the numbers increase as predicted (to 2000 drop-outs a year) there's going to be a need for an enormous generation of jobs and education facilities." The report findings state the Gold Coast has needs distinct from other cities when it comes to keeping young people in school and further education. Very rapid population growth largely dependent on the migration flows into and out of the city, has a significant impact on students' school enrolment patterns. Other special needs arise from the nature of the economic base which has a heavy dependence on the service industries and a predominance of small businesses which make up nearly 95 per cent of all businesses and mostly employ five or fewer people. The city's worst unemployment 'hot spots' are the stretch from Coolangatta to Palm Beach, Eagleby and Beenleigh and the Southport/Labrador zone. The report also states the city lacks Federal Government recognition as one of the major urban centres in Australia with rapidly increasing demands by young people for jobs, education and training, and is not only a holiday destination or a retirement location for the old. Combined Chamber of Commerce president John Witheriff said the report was spot on and a concern for the whole community because of the social issues connected with high unemployment. "I'm not surprised by any of it," he said of the report. "We've been saying these things for some years. "If we continue to ignore it, we're going to be the losers because the social issues, like crime are going to worsen." Mr Witheriff said federal and state government recognition of the special needs of the city was vital to turn things around. "Every time we've been meeting with the Federal Government we've been trying to give member after member (an idea of what we need)," he said. "The response so far has been to exclude the Gold Coast from any regional support programs because (to them) we're not a regional centre, but we're not a capital city either. So we are 3000 university places short of the national average. "At the State Government level, the Brisbane CBD with twice the number of people of the Gold Coast gets $30 million for public transport compared to $5 million for the Gold Coast. ^ top GOLD
COAST YOUTH COMMITMENT • N
E W S P A P E R A R T I C L E [DEC
2001] GOLD
COAST WEEKEND BULLETIN Headline:
Many Gold Coast teenagers feel there is a question mark over their futures. Unemployment, limited career options and doubt as to what they should do after school are topics Keebra Park High School students Sonia Howlett and Lawrence Faraj say are constantly on their minds, and on the minds of their friends. So is the decision on whether to even stay at school past Year 10, a factor they both agreed could better their future chances of study or employment.
Ideally, he said he would like to be a physical education teacher. "I worry about whether I will achieve it or not, whatever I decide to do." Lawrence said about half his friends planned to complete Year 12, with only one or two to continue to university. "Most of them are afraid of succeeding," he said. "We never used to talk about it, about what we are going to do, but now it is worrying a few people." ^ top GOLD
COAST YOUTH COMMITMENT • N
E W S P A P E R A R T I C L E
[DEC
2001] Headline:
The rate of Gold Coast students taking up university courses is lower than both the state and national averages. That was the surprise finding of the Gold Coast Youth Commitment Forum report, which showed 41.6 per cent of 15-19 year-olds were in secondary school but only 7.4 were in university. Just over 6 per cent were in TAFE while 34.5 per cent were not in any form of education at all. The GCYCF has established five groups to target students at risk of dropping out of school and will seek support from the community, schools and local businesses, as well as work with individual students. ^ top |
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GOLD
COAST YOUTH COMMITMENT FORUM June
2001 Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 or above to view PDF files. You can download a free copy from the Adobe web site. |
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