NYC | regional round up

Macarthur Youth Commitment (MYC)

coordinator email: Peter Raymond peter.raymond@tafensw.edu.au
coordinator email: [correct as at APR 2004]
regional based discussion group: MacarthurYC@yahoogroups.com

What is this all about? Why do this? read the OVERVIEW	The newly released Macarthur Training and Employment Passport offers a valuable and informative guide to the region's young people in their transition from school to work and further training. The "passport" is produced annually by Macarthur Youth Commitment with funding from the Australian Government's Sustainable Regions Programme, and distributed free to schools, organisations and individuals. MYC is an umbrella body of organisations that support the region's young people through education, training and employment. read the full MEDIA RELEASE
	What are they doing now? read the latest MYC June 04 NEWSLETTER	Over the last two years the unemployment rate amongst Macarthur youth aged between 15 and 19 years has averaged between 15% and 17%. The average trend has tended downwards in that time. read more in the ENVIRONMENT SCAN - KEY FINDINGS
Macarthur Overview Click here to download an overview on the Macarthur Youth Commitment
It aims to track and monitor all school leavers and provide individual counselling aimed at getting them into work [or training]. read the full NEWSPAPER ARTICLE		How did they find out what was required for the youth in their community? by conducting an ENVIRONMENT SCAN	How did they get started? read their OCTOBER 2001 NEWSLETTER & browse through ARCHIVED MATERIAL also go to the HOW TO SET UP A YOUTH COMMITMENT section in this website
I want more information. How can I participate? Find out HERE

TABLE of CONTENTS

people
- MYC MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
- NATIONAL AWARD FOR DARYL NEW

reports and resources
- YOUTH SERVICE DRAFT
- TRANSITION BROKER BRIEF
- KEY MILESTONES
- MYC NEWSLETTER DEC 03
- MYC NEWSLETTER MARCH 04

funding

environmental scan

archived material

How do I find out more? How can I participate?

- Join the email discussion group MacarthurYC@yahoogroups.com

- Contact the coordinator, Peter Raymond

Peter Raymond - Coordinator

C/- Training Co-ordination Unit
Campbelltown TAFE
PO Box 599
Campbelltown NSW 2560

Ph: 02 4620 1709 Fax: 02 4620 1865

Email: LMP.Campbelltown@det.nsw.edu.au

- Become a Mentor to young people - read more about this at:
www.dsf.org.au/plan-it/news.htm#news2

- Thinking about setting up a Youth Commitment in your area? - contact the overall project manager, Lesley Tobin

Lesley Tobin - Dusseldorp Skills Forum (DSF)
Project Manager

Phone: (02) 4388 3392 Fax: (02) 4388 2440
Mobile: 0409 033 161

Email: ltobin@ozemail.com.au

27 May 2004
Media release
Youth services event participants agree that cooperation is the key

More than 60 people, representing over 40 agencies, agreed at a local youth services event earlier this month that major future priorities were better coordination of service delivery to avoid overlap and duplication, and more effective targeting of areas of need.

Macarthur region is served by a wide range of youth agencies that all work enthusiastically to improve the circumstances and opportunities of the area's young people. Unfortunately, these agencies are often less than fully aware of who is providing what service to whom, under what guidelines. This results in some overlap - different agencies serving the same client group - while other groups are overlooked due to ignorance of available services.

The event, organised by Macarthur Youth Commitment and held on 21 May, spent much of the day developing a Macarthur youth school to work transition strategy. Participants identified six themes that would guide youth agencies in Macarthur in the future:
• improved networking and collaboration between youth service providers
• achieving the right balance between targeting areas of priority need and guaranteeing access across all areas and client groups
• providing ongoing support to young people, rather than just crisis intervention
• ensuring that programs and services are responsive to youth needs, and are developed and delivered with active client participation
• developing effective partnerships, and
• identifying critical success factors.

These themes, with their associated actions and priorities, will after validation by the event participants constitute the Macarthur youth school to work transition strategy. The strategy can then be used to, for example, frame funding submissions or design and develop youth programs.

Eric Sidoti, consultant to the Dusseldorp Skills Forum, delivered the event's keynote address. Eric spoke on the challenges facing young people today in their transition from school to work, and on government responses to these challenges.

Participants indicated in satisfaction surveys at the end of the event that it was most worthwhile, and would go a long way to ensuring that Macarthur youth agencies cooperate more effectively in the future. However, it was crucial to sustain the momentum that the event provided; follow-up events in the months ahead would ensure that this focus was maintained.

Interested persons and organisations can obtain copies of the event proceedings, including the keynote address, by phoning Macarthur Youth Commitment on (02) 4620 1709.

Further information: Peter Raymond, Coordinator, MYC, phone 4620 1709 or 0404 01 0392

^ top


		MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT overview OUR VISION To enhance the skills and opportunities of all young people in Macarthur to be active, independent citizens who are competitive in the labour market over the course of a lifetime. RATIONALE Young people who leave school before completing year 12 without achieving an equivalent level of education or training elsewhere face long term disadvantages including much higher rates of unemployment, lower incomes and other risks to their wellbeing. This in turn affects the communities in which these young people live. A whole of community partnership to address this issue therefore makes sense. Macarthur Youth Commitment (MYC) is the local strategy being developed from the National Youth Commitment model proposed by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum (DSF), which is being piloted in several regional locations across Australia. MYC is a network of many organisations in the Macarthur region that supports young people as they leave school and move on to work or other training, especially those who are identified as at risk of leaving school before finishing year 12 or an equivalent level vocational course. MYC is a whole of government, whole of community response to the needs of the area. PROJECTS Transition broker project MYC, in partnership with Centrelink, oversees the transition broker project. The program has four transition brokers in eleven schools across the Macarthur region. The brokers have been working in the schools since the beginning of term four 2003. They provide support for students to encourage them to stay in school, assistance to move to further training or employment, and referral to other appropriate services as needed. Mentoring Programs - MYC has supported the NSW DET Plan-it Youth mentoring program working in 6 schools with about 70 mentors & students and other local mentoring projects through a mentoring working group. RESOURCES Macarthur training and employment passport This resource contains contacts for local service providers, as well as job search, resume preparation and interview guidance. The passports have been widely distributed to schools, youth centres, job networks and support agencies. The next version is being reviewed for release in August 2004. RESEARCH Macarthur youth environmental scan In 2001 MYC commissioned UWS Centre for Regional Research and Innovation (CRRI) to research the region's youth. The survey, which was updated in 2003, includes demographics, youth services, education, training and employment outcomes. A summary of the survey is available on request from MYC. Employer research A survey has gone out to 5000 Macarthur employers in mid May 2004 to obtain a statistical profile of local industry, and to evaluate their support for placing young people in employment, training or work experience. Other school to work transitions research is being investigated. COMMUNITY SUPPORT MYC works with a range of schools, agencies and services to help ensure that youth service provision is coordinated and effective. The school to work transition forum in May 2004 is one such event designed to achieve better, more coordinated outcomes for young people in the region. DEVELOPMENT HISTORY and FUNDING Macarthur Youth Commitment is built on community networks developed from the Full Service Schools Program, a steering committee supported by Dusseldorp Skills Forum being formed in 2001, and launch of MYC on 8th August 2001 A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in February 2002 by a group of the key stakeholders including Macarthur Regional Organisation of Councils, Centrelink, TAFE, Department of Education & Training, Premier's Department, Department of Housing, GROW Macarthur, Macarthur Community Forum, Dusseldorp Skills Forum and the Enterprise and Career Education Foundation. A series of working groups involving representatives from a range of agencies and networks was established to develop and implement strategies. Australian Government funding secured in 2003 has enabled the implementation of many of the strategies and projects of MYC. MYC receives funding from the Australian Government Department of Transport & Regional Services (DOTARS) under the Sustainable Regions Programme and the Australian Government Department of Education, Science & Training (DEST) under the Enterprise and Career Education Foundation (ECEF) Ltd Programme. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND STAFF A management committee oversees MYC. Our president is Denise McGrath of the Kids of Macarthur Foundation, our vice-president is Cathie Gerloff, South West Sydney Institute of TAFE's access and equity unit manager. Centrelink's Darryl New is our secretary, and Mark Berriman, Campbelltown Council, is treasurer. Other organisations represented are local councils, the University of Western Sydney, the NSW Premier's Department, local schools and Uniting Care Burnside. We have a staff of three: Peter Raymond (coordinator), Jeremy Gilling (research officer) and Rose Leto-Rerecic (part-time administrative officer).

		^ top


		MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT • M Y C N E W S L E T T E R June 2004 Read about recent developments at the Macarthur Youth Commitment. DOWNLOAD: WORD format (311 K) Do you need help with viewing or saving these files?
		^ top

MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT
people

• COMMITTEE

Position	Name	Organisation
President	Denise McGrath	Kids of Macarthur Foundation
Vice President	Cathie Gerloff	SWSI of TaFE Access & Equity
Secretary	Daryl New	Centrelink
Treasurer	Mark Berriman	Campbelltown City Council
Ordinary Member	Tina Britton	Camden Council
Ordinary Member	Kevin Garrick	Sarah Redfern HS
Honorary Member	Michelle MacMillan	Burnside
Honorary Member	Maria Visotina	Premier’s Dept
Honorary Member	Sue Thomas	UWS
Honorary Member	Louise Daley	Wollondilly Shire
Honorary member	Rob Spence	DET Campbelltown School Ed Area Office

^ top

MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT
people

15 April 2003
National Award presented to MYC management member

An integral member of the Macarthur Youth Commitment's (MYC) management committee, Daryl New, was presented with the National Centrelink Excellence in Youth Servicing Award - Commmunity Category - as part of this year's National Youth Week celebrations.

Daryl has been passionately involved with the MYC since its inception and has strengthened the MYC-Centrelink partnership. He was able to help initiate a pilot Transition Broker program in May-June 2002 and the successful pilot has resulted in stronger partnership possibilities for the future.

Daryl works as a Centrelink Liason manager and has a long-standing record of innovative involvement with young people in Macarthur and Greater Southwest Sydney, and in projects which develop a positive retention strategy in schools.

Congratulations.

Peter Raymond, Coordinator MYC

^ top

MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT
people

Peter Raymond
coordinator, macarthur youth commitment

^ top

MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT FORUM
people

(left to right) Greg Prior, Kevin Garrick (Vice Chair), Denise McGrath (Chair), and Peter Raymond (part of the Management Committee).

^ top

__________________________________________________


		MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT reports and resources • Y O U T H S E R V I C E D R A F T First draft Macarthur youth transition strategy, May 2004 Circulated for validation GOAL TO ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN MACARTHUR, AND SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK AND LEARNING Theme 1 Improved networking and collaboration between youth service providers *Actions and priorities* 1.1 Better information flow • utilising all available mediums: paper based, email, internet, regular forums and similar functions 1.2 Better understanding of other service providers and agencies – their roles, responsibilities and coverage • resources are accurate, comprehensive and regularly updated • providers committed to complement rather than compete against each other – in particular, between government and non-government agencies • a single service directory, centrally maintained – perhaps by MYC (the youth employment and training "passport") – with all providers committed to keeping it up to date 1.3 Active representation and input from all key stakeholders, including young people, their families, businesses and the community • including agencies and groups who may not have been fully involved in the past • much closer engagement with local schools • youth input to be specifically sought and fully acknowledged Theme 2 Achieving the right balance between targeting areas of priority need and guaranteeing access across all areas and client groups *Actions and priorities* 2.1 Better tracking of young people after leaving school • comprehensive school leaver exit surveys 2.2 Utilise young people who have made successful post-school transitions as exemplars for all young people 2.3 Recognise the importance of imparting basic skills and attributes for all, not just those at risk Theme 3 Providing ongoing support to young people, rather than just crisis intervention Actions and priorities 3.1 A "continuum" of service delivery – not a piecemeal approach 3.2 Targeting youth at an early stage – before they reach the post-compulsory school years 3.3 Stronger focus on discouraging risk-taking activities – stressing opportunities and choices that are open to youth 3.4 Enhanced training in "life skills" in schools • offering "creative problem solving" learning for disengaged students 3.5 Extension of mentoring programs • aim to extend transition broker service to all Macarthur schools • encourage school staff to join mentor programs 3.6 Spread the message that one "failure" does not close the door on further learning and development – emphasise alternative pathways Theme 4 Ensuring our programs and services are responsive to youth needs, and are developed and delivered with active client participation Actions and priorities 4.1 Wholesale commitment to "de-jargonising" service provision • publicising services and activities to young people, in the media they access 4.2 Strengthen links between schools and outside agencies • providing a safety net for school students at risk • promoting programs that offer post-school and outside school support 4.3 Ensure that young people's views are effectively canvassed and acted upon • for example, by surveying school students on their perceptions of the quality of school life Theme 5 Developing effective partnerships Actions and priorities 5.1 Work with employers to identify barriers to employing young people • and opportunities for work experience or job placements • better use of industry visits and industry speakers • regular, comprehensive surveying of employers 5.2 Keep families of young people informed of youth job opportunities • including jobs and skills in high demand • counteract outdated, damaging stereotypes about some jobs and industries – with particular emphasis on artificial gender barriers • a one-stop-shop approach – a local youth employment and training "hotline", perhaps? 5.3 Closer collaboration between TAFE and schools • better utlisation of school P&Cs Theme 6 Identifying critical success factors Actions and priorities 6.1 Agreement on what represents a quality outcome • completing year 12, or full-time post-school learning, or full-time employment, or an apprenticeship/traineeship 6.2 A focus on the client (the young person) rather than the provider • respect young people's choices • but ensuring those choices are made on the basis of accurate, appropriate information 6.3 Early intervention, rather than responding to a crisis • recognising young people's needs at an early stage of their learning experience • building self-confidence and self-esteem – especially among those with poor social skills 6.4 Celebrate our successes – and recognise how rich this area is in the scope and commitment of its youth services

		^ top
		__________________________________________________

MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT
reports and resources

• T H E T R A N S I T I O N B R O K E R P R O G R A M
How it works
What has been achieved
June 2004

There are three sections to this report. The first section explains the transition broker program and how it operates. The second section lists the participating Macarthur schools and the client outcomes for each school. The third section provides four program case studies.

Section 1
The transition broker program

Rationale
Macarthur Youth Commitment is working in partnership with schools in the Macarthur area to provide support to actual and potential early school leavers – a group who are recognised as especially vulnerable to long-term social and labour market disadvantage. A key part of this support is the transition broker program.

The program seeks to re-engage the would-be school leavers in their school, or to provide a smooth transition to alternative education, training or employment through appropriate employers or service providers in the region.

The program employs community-based transition brokers to work in partnership with identified schools to provide intensive assistance for potential early school leavers. The transition brokers will be allocated to schools identified by MYC, in conjunction with the NSW Department of Education and Training and other stakeholders.

Partnership
As a general policy, Macarthur Youth Commitment seeks appropriate partners to deliver services. The decision was made by the MYC management committee not to be a direct service provider and to approach the Department of Education and Centrelink about the operational aspects of the transition broker project.

The MYC management committee, who were impressed by Centrelink's ability to support the workers, their history with MYC and their understanding of the role that the brokers will play in schools and within Centrelink, formally negotiated a partnership in 2003 between MYC and Centrelink to initiate the transition broker project.

Overview
The transition brokers adopt a case management approach for students who are deemed "at risk" of leaving school early and those who have already left, through individual support to maintain these young people in education, training or employment. They directly follow up individuals, particularly those in years 10 and 11, acting as a "bridge" between the students and existing agencies such as Jobs Pathways Program, JPET, Job Network providers and other community agencies.

The positions are community based, work as much as possible in schools and receive support as appropriate from Centrelink and other community agencies. The role needs to be flexible and complement the school’s established welfare structures. Their approach is tailored to each individual school’s needs and structures.

Transition brokers require appropriate police checks, and receive orientation and training, including DET child protection training.

Transition broker duties
Transition brokers are required to keep accurate records using the custom-built database system, and to provide regular reports to the MYC board covering key indicators and funding body reporting requirements. This data collection also aids in evaluation of the impact and effectiveness of the program in schools.

Within the school, they
• develop individual case plans for students, encouraging students to stay appropriately engaged in school pending transition, and empowering students to meet their responsibilities in regard to school regulations, etc
• in conjunction with the school, engage parents as parties to the partnership
• review individuals' case plans as appropriate
• refer and follow up referral of young people to appropriate organisations, including Job Network agencies, Centrelink, Job Pathways program, training institutions, health, welfare and other relevant community agencies
• assist young people in the decision making process, including re-engaging potential early school leavers into schooling
• maintain the partnership with the school, student, parents and Centrelink by providing ongoing, timely feedback on outcomes.

Post-school, they
• case manage participants until a desired outcome is reached by providing appropriate support to enhance successful transition
• follow up case-managed participants at prescribed points of 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months (more often if appropriate) after leaving school to monitor outcomes and provide appropriate support
• update school leaver files during the follow-up period
• contact students who initially refused support with the offer of support services.

Reporting requirements are to
• keep and provide statistics relating to transition broker referrals on the database system provided by MYC
• submit monthly reports to their supervisor containing both statistical and anecdotal information as required
• keep accurate files on each early school leaver, including case plan and amendments, referral information and destination.

Section 2
Participating schools and client outcomes, June 2004

School and outcome type	Appr/ trainee	F/T empl	P/T empl	F/T school	P/T school	F/T uni	P/T uni	F/T TAFE	P/T TAFE	Job seekng
Ambarvale HS	6	3	6	22				4	4	6
Campblltn PAHS		3	2	10				4		11
Lomandra SSP			1	1						3
Thos Reddall HS	1	3	1	22		1			1	3
Rbt Townson HS	2	3	3	25				5	1	1
Eagle Vale HS	2	1	1	22	1			1	1	3
Leumeah HS	3	4	2	20					2	6
Picton HS		2	3	23					3	3
E Macarthur HS	1	3	4	11			1	2		4
Camden HS	2	1	3	12				1		6
Magdalene CHS	7	2		14				1		1
TOTAL	24	25	26	183	1	1	1	18	12	47

Section 3
Some recent case studies

Following are some interesting and encouraging case studies. Names have of course been changed to respect participants' privacy.

Case study 1: "Kahu"
23/03/04: Initial contact (visit)
Kahu has left high school and is currently in a pre-apprenticeship "Get Skills" course at Miller TAFE. He requested some help and advice in regard to what he should do once he has completed his studies, which will end on 14 May. We spoke about the importance of him doing well in the course, and are going to start planning on what we should do thereafter.
03/05/04: Monitoring (visit)
Met with Kahu at Centrelink – his course is going to end within the next week. We looked at a few jobs for him to apply for, and I advised him on how he should apply for them He is coming back to see me tomorrow so we can finalise the applications and send them off.
06/05/04: General (visit)
Met with Kahu and looked at a few jobs vacancies on the Internet, which we then applied for. I showed him how to do a resume and covering letter and fax cover sheet. Also organised an interview for him with an employer at Silverwater and used the MYC employment passport to assist him further in regards to what he should say and what type of questions he may face. He felt a bit more comfortable once he read some of the questions.
07/05/04: General (phone)
Mother rang to advise that Kahu couldn’t attend the job interview today. Advised her to tell him to come and see me on Tuesday and to also make new arrangements with the employer.
11/05/04: General (visit)
Spoke to Kahu, re-arranged interview for him to attend on Friday and also gave him directions on how to get there. We also spoke about the importance of keeping those interviews, as he may not get the same chance next time.
17/5/04: General (visit)
Met with Kahu and he stated that he did go to the interview, and they seem interested in him but wanted to see his TAFE results before offering him the job. He stated then he was following this up with his TAFE teacher to speed up the process. He also said that he liked the workplace and was impressed with some of the things they did there.
01/06/04: Follow-up (phone)
Rang Kahu. He confirmed that he started the job at the place I sent him to in Silverwater and is quite happy there.

Case study 2: "Sarah"
10/05/04: Initial contact (visit)
First contact: gave passport and explained the program. Set her the task of looking up TAFE website for next year's courses. Will be booking an appointment for Sarah to see social worker at Centrelink for UTLAH; will need to bring YAL claim for her to fill out with some assistance. Sarah is prepared to finish yr 10 this year and wants to do yrs 11-12 at TAFE next year. Currently works at Woolworth’s locally as casual. Does not reside with parents (see sensitive notes). Turns 16 in June; need to get Youth allowance claim forms – unreasonable to live at home – and book appointment with social worker at Centrelink.
13/05/04: Follow-up (visit)
Filled out youth allowance forms with Sarah and advised of appointment with social worker on 18 May (Tuesday). Sarah advises me that she is a part of St Johns ambulance as a cadet. Sarah has also informed me that she wants to do interior design. Advised her that she may need to go to uni after HSC or TPC at TAFE next year. Sarah says her job is going well and she already has a resume put together.
14/05/04: General (visit)
Talked to career advisor about plan-it youth mentoring program – Sarah would really benefit from this program. Meeting with principal about concern for Sarah: self harm report lodged with DoCS. Informed that Sarah will not be in school on Tuesday due to social worker appointment. Social worker not able to come out to the school.
24/05/04: General (visit)
Sarah attended s/w interview at Centrelink: helped sort out what ID she will need to get together and will bring back on Thursday. Will lodge YAL claim tomorrow. (YAL claim lodged.) Sarah will need to request her birth certificate from births, deaths and marriages and I will help her do this (she can apply on internet).
31/05/04: Follow up (visit)
Sarah brought some ID for me for Centrelink. I asked Sarah why she didn’t turn up for her mentoring session on Friday; she said she was sick. I told her I met the lady who will be her mentor and she is very nice. I stressed the importance of being there this Friday. Applied for birth certificate on internet. While we were there we looked at TAFE options for next year.

Case study 3: "Daniel"
22/10/03
Daniel is currently doing yr 10 and wants to leave when finished ... Daniel is very quiet and has given me no options ... He did show interest towards mechanics and panel beating – he is currently working on Saturdays with a mechanic ... Daniel has no resume so I advised him to speak with his careers adviser to help with resume ... Daniel said there may be work coming up at the mechanic shop he works at ... I told him he doesn't have long to go before school is over and to ask his workplace if they were interested in taking him on as an apprentice ... I have booked Daniel in for another appointment with me on 5/11/03 ... maybe Daniel will have some more ideas of employment after our discussion when we meet next.
05/11/03
I had booked Daniel in to see me but he didn't turn up. I tried to call to see if everything is OK and to see if he needed any further assistance but there was no answer …
19/11/03
Daniel is very quiet and finds it hard to even make eye contact with me. He is slowly coming out of his shell ... Daniel is no longer working part time ... He doesn't want to come back to school next year so I have presented him with many options ... Daniel is still very interested in panelbeating so I have given him numbers for jobs pathway, Macarthur group training, automotive group training and new apprenticeships, and explained how they all work ... I advised Daniel to call all of these places so he can have some options to choose from ... I have booked Daniel in to see me next week and I told him to have these options ready to present to me and we can discuss them …
26/11/03
Daniel and I discussed many future options. He wants to do an apprenticeship that is a little different from others and not as popular. We talked about many different apprenticeships; Daniel seemed to like sprinkler fitting and showed a lot of interest towards that …
03/12/03
Once again Daniel had an appointment with me today but either he is away or he just didn't turn up ... I have tried to find c/a to ask if he is absent or just doesn't want to see me ... I have tried calling Daniel but I can't get through …
01/04/04
Daniel has been accepted into an apprenticeship as a sprinkler fitter ... Daniel is doing really well, making a very good wage ... Daniel was deterred from becoming a mechanic after knowing how hard they work for so little money ... He attends TAFE every 4 weeks for 5 days ... I have spoken with Daniel's mother and explained my role. I told her I have been working closely with Daniel through his transition from school to work and I also encouraged them to call if any assistance is required …

Case study 4: "Renee"
Renee is a year 12 student at a local high school. She is Cambodian. She was referred to me because of her poor attendance. She had failed to meet the requirements for two of her subjects and was unable to get a UAI.
18/02/04
Renee was referred to me by the Deputy Principal. He felt that she would be more suited to working than continuing her studies. I spoke to her about her interests. She wasn’t very sure of what she wanted to do but talked a little about an interest in hairdressing. I explained to her that hairdressing apprenticeships were hard to find, and that they generally came from someone you knew. I also talked to her career adviser to see if she knew of any positions. We looked around for a position but there was nothing available on Jobsearch. We then tried the Yellow Pages and looked for salons outside of Macarthur. As we were looking we came across a Japanese salon based at The Rocks. I jokingly said "shame you don’t speak Japanese". Turns out Renee can! She called them and spoke to the manager in Japanese. She was asked to come in for an interview. Three days later Renee called me to say thank you and tell me she got the apprenticeship.
26/05/04
I called Renee’s house to do a three monthly follow up. She wasn’t home. Her parents told me that the apprenticeship was going excellently and that the salon was paying her to go to Japan for two months to work in a salon there. She is still in Japan and I will speak to her when she gets back.

^ top

__________________________________________________


		MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT reports and resources • K E Y M Y C M I L E S T O N E S 2 0 0 3 • Process of becoming incorporated, insurances, constitution, ABN etc completed. • Funding secured – negotiations of contracts with DoTaRS, ECEF & DEST, reports and strategic plans. • Coordinator recruitment process confirms Peter Raymond in role. • May 19 – Funding launch very successful. • Negotiations with Centrelink for Transition Broker project & MoU over many months. Process of discussion with schools, DET about the Transition Broker project. • Involvement in TB recruitment process, development of selection criterion, cull and recruitment process, training and overseeing of development of Transition Brokers. 4 workers in 10 schools in term 4 2003. • Administration and Research Project Officer positions recruited. • Support for Jan Chisholm with PIY and other mentoring programs – this year has seen great expansion of PIY to 6 schools, 70 mentors & 80 students. • Overseeing 2 TAFE Welfare student placements and review, development, printing and distribution of 2600 Macarthur Training and Employment Passports. • Visits of Barbara Wise and Jenny Macklin and advisers to Macarthur. • First MYC inc AGM and Annual Report produced • C91.3 radio add played regularly early in 2003, articles in local papers. • UWS CCRI do a Macarthur Youth Environmental Scan • Video project meetings unfortunately didn’t progress project this year. • Youth participation meetings with NSW Commission for Children & Young People didn’t progress as much as hoped. Networking • Involved in Mackyack youth website meetings • Involved in Campbelltown Theatre project as alternate education for ‘at risk’ youth. • Involved in Camden Council Youth strategic plan community advisory committee. • Involved in MARS project steering group – resulted in 20 apprenticeship/traineeships being offered in manufacturing/engineering. • Involved in Macarthur Youth Service Directory & Map project committee Forums • DSF Youth Transport Forum - Feb • DSF forum with Ann Whitestock from ‘Connexions’ UK - March 20. • ECEF Transitions conference - June • DSF Youth Commitment coordinators forum – Dec • MACROC and other Macarthur planning forums.

		^ top
		__________________________________________________


		MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT • M Y C N E W S L E T T E R June 2004 Read about recent developments at the Macarthur Youth Commitment. DOWNLOAD: WORD format (323 K) Do you need help with viewing or saving these files? ^ top
		__________________________________________________


		MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT • M Y C N E W S L E T T E R June 2004 Read about recent developments at the Macarthur Youth Commitment. DOWNLOAD: WORD format (370 K) Do you need help with viewing or saving these files? ^ top
		__________________________________________________


		MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT funding [updated MAY 2003] It gives me great pleasure to announce that MYC has been funded through the Federal Government's Sustainable Regions program - the following is the media announcement from MP Pat Farmer's office released on Friday. $900,000 COMMITMENT TO MACARTHUR'S YOUNG PEOPLE The Federal Member for Macarthur Pat Farmer, today announced $904,000 in Sustainable Regions funding for a project targeting students at risk in the Campbelltown-Camden region. Announcing the grant on behalf of the Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon John Anderson, Mr Farmer said the Macarthur Youth Commitment project had resulted from an on-going partnership of about 70 groups from across the community, government and the private sector. The Campbelltown-Camden region has been allocated up to $12 million in Sustainable Regions funding over three years to support projects that will provide long-term strategic benefits to the community. Sustainable Regions is the $100 million centrepiece of the Federal Government's Stronger Regions: A Stronger Australia programme developed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson. "It is appropriate that a project like this is announced during National Youth Week," Mr Farmer said. "This is a major long-term commitment by the Federal Government to the young people of our area and something that I hope will make a real difference to their future." "Macarthur Youth Commitment is an umbrella organisation working to support the region's high number of early school leavers through to year 12, or to an equivalent training qualification or into employment. "In Campbelltown Camden 42% of the region's population is under 25 years old and many of these young people face social and economic disadvantage because they leave school early. "In this project, case managers will assist youth at risk of leaving school, or those who have already dropped out, into alternative training and employment options, using a model successfully trialled by Centrelink last year. "It aims to provide a safety net to divert at risk youth away from welfare dependency and encourage them to be active, independent citizens who are competitive in the labour market. In the first three year's the programme aims to help 1200 young people in this way." The Campbelltown Camden Sustainable Regions Advisory Committee chair, Bruce Hanrahan, said the Macarthur Youth Commitment project was widely supported. "Macarthur Youth Commitment has received substantial contributions from the Enterprise and Career Education Foundation, State and Local Governments, sponsorships, donations and a high level of in-kind support from a variety of community and commercial organisations," Mr Hanrahan said. This funding will enable us to implement over the next 3 years many of the programs we have been developing with your support. In addition to the funding from DOTARS, the Enterprise and Career Education Foundation are funding the MYC project (coordination and a component of the transition broker project) for 3 years to the total value of $390 000. It is great to be able to let you know this exciting news. Cheers Peter Raymond Coordinator Macarthur Youth Commitment Ph: 02 4620 1709 Fax: 02 4620 1865 Email: Lmp.campbelltown@tafensw.edu.au ^ top

		__________________________________________________


		MACARTHUR YOUTH COMMITMENT environmental scan August 2001 View or Download the environmental scan - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY [3 pages - 168K] as a PDF (Portable Document Format). August 2001 View or Download the environmental scan - KEY FINDINGS [9 pages - 120K] as a PDF (Portable Document Format). 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. ^ top

		Do you need help with viewing or saving these files?
		__________________________________________________