Wimmera, NSW

WIMMERA VET IN SCHOOLS BUS PILOT
WIMMERA PRIMARY CARE PARTNERSHIP
www.wimmerapcp.org.au

The pilot of a subsidised bus service for young people accessing vocational education and training (VET) programs in the Wimmera and Southern Mallee districts of Victoria. Services run at set times in the mornings and afternoons between rural communities and Horsham, and are provided by a local bus contractor.

CONTACT:
Debbie Millgate
Health Promotions Coordinator
Wimmera Uniting Care
Wimmera PCP, PO Box 442
HORSHAM VIC 3402
debbiem@wimmera.unitingcare.org.au
PHONE 03 5382 7660
MOBILE 0428 144 812

	DOWNLOAD THIS DOCUMENT PDF - 28K - 2 pages Background A lack of access to regular, reliable, and affordable transport in remote rural areas is the number one concern raised by young people throughout the Wimmera region. Participation in secondary school options, further education, training and employment opportunities, recreation, health and welfare, and social activities are the disadvantages rural young people face through the lack of access to a regular, reliable, and affordable transport system. Transport is a limiting factor in assisting young people to reach their full individual potential and participation in society. Studies have proven that: A lack of transport is a major factor explaining the exodus of young people aged 15 years and over from outlying to larger centres (Green and McDonald, 1996) Transport for recreation and social contact is important as it reduces isolation and distance from cultural and social resources (Wimmera Regional Youth Committee, 1996) There is limited and often a complete absence of public transport available within a large geographical area to be covered (Wimmera Primary Care Partnership: Youth Adolescent Health Promotion, 2002) The latest Ministerial Review of Post Compulsory Education and Training in Victoria, also referred to as the Kirby Report, provided the research foundation for the Labor Government’s policies and directions on education and training for young people. It makes strong recommendations around student retention rates, which are particularly relevant to this region where rates are one of the lowest in the state. The Review states that recognised principals which underpin the establishment of regional planning/structures must: - Exist to improve the educational and training outcomes for young people aged 15-19 years. Ensure that there is open and fair access to services – including access to transport. Allow the movement of people between regions.   VET Bus Service In the Wimmera there are approximately 520 young people undertaking Vocational Education Training (VET) courses. Students travel from the Shires of Horsham, West Wimmera, Buloke, Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack. Students undertaking VET in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) programs combine their VCE studies with a nationally recognised VET training certificate in their chosen field of interest. A typical VET certificate involves about 400 hours of training, delivered in a partnership arrangement between schools and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). As a general rule, every 100 hours of VET training equates to 1 VCE VET unit (contribution to a student’s VCE program). VET in the VCE programs are: Agriculture Automotive Clothing Design Construction Engineering Horticulture Information Technology Retail Arts Multimedia Business Administration Community Services Electronics Horse Studies Hospitality Music In 2001 a number of youth service providers came together to look at ways to enhance young people’s access to VET courses. Eventually they were successful in sourcing funding and cooperation from across the region, government departments, and across sectors to enable a subsidised rural private bus service to be established. The bus service transports young people from outlying pick-up points and carries them to VET courses at regional training centres in Horsham and Longerenong. From the start of the 2002 school year, students participating in VET programs from 8 Wimmera Secondary Colleges have travelled to and from their training by bus. Previously they had to rely solely on parents to transport them to the VET venues, which excluded many students from accessing this opportunity. The young people are required to arrive at Horsham and Longerenong each Wednesday morning to meet their VET course requirements. Some students travel up to distances of 260 kilometres per day return journey.