Youth Connections

Youth Connections is an at risk program run by Mission Australia in the Hills / Hornsby area. Due to the increase in school leaving age to 17 there is a gap in knowledge in regard to the options for young people below the school leaving age that are disengaging or at risk of disengaging from the school system, or who wish to seek alternative options for education and training. There is also a lack of information for parents and teachers.

The purpose of this project will be to create an Options Guide; a resource that will empower students, teachers, parents and the community to access a variety of resources to increase retention and attainment of young people to Year 12 or the equivalent.

The guide will be a handbook for students, teachers, and parents to provide them with information about:

• Alternate training options for different careers (eg. certificate II, apprenticeships, short courses, traineeships)
• Training provider information Careers advisory services Support services (eg. counselling, tutoring, mentoring)
• Work experience/traineeships options

The information will be provided in an easily accessible and updateable format and a promotional plan will be created. There is the opportunity to link with current Youth Connections program and other services in the local area to encourage collaboration between services.