Media Releases

08 Dec 2009 - New Partnerships to Help Australian Young People

The Hon Kate Ellis MP

Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth

8 December, 2009

Media release

New partnerships to help Australian young people

The Minister for Youth Kate Ellis today announced the 100 providers of the Australian Government's new Youth Connections program.

The Australian Government is investing more than $286 million in Youth Connections over four years, which represents a 37% funding boost for support to vulnerable young Australians.

Youth Connections is a national service to help young people who are most at risk of disengaging from education or training, and failing to get a Year 12 or equivalent qualification.

Young people will benefit from one-on-one case management and support services to build their resilience and improve their personal skills and wellbeing.

"For many years young people have reported being unsure of where they should go for assistance.

"Under these new, targeted arrangements we'll remove the excessive duplication of services in some areas and ensure that young people get the support they need, when they need it," Minister Ellis said.

Also today, the Minister announced the organisations that will deliver School Business Community Partnership Brokers - a new national program to help young people make the most of their education and training opportunities.

Partnership Brokers will work with key stakeholders in their regions to identify regional challenges and develop strategic solutions that foster a whole-of-community approach to young people's learning.

The program will develop stronger partnerships between education and training providers, business and industry, parents and families and community organisations to help young people better engage with their education, training and employment.

"Young people who leave school early without adequate qualifications are at high risk of prolonged disadvantage, unemployment and social exclusion, and are vulnerable in tough economic times."

"We want to prevent those problems arising  and this is one way we aim to achieve that," she said.

Partnership Broker providers will begin operating from January 2010, with national coverage across Australia in 113 service regions by the beginning of the school year.

"School Business Community Partnership Brokers will help schools and communities extend learning beyond the classroom, increase student engagement and lift attainment levels," Ms Ellis said.

The programs are part of the Australian Government's $723 million investment in the National Partnership which includes the Compact with Young Australians.

Both programs were developed in collaboration with the States and Territories under the National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions, a joint initiative of the Australian and State and Territory governments.

The full provider lists are at: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Youth/YouthAttainmentandTransitions