In April 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) recognised the need to support young people to be able to withstand the impact of the global economic downturn on their employment and career prospects ˆ especially those who disconnect from education or training without adequate qualifications or skills.
The Australian and State and Territory Governments have agreed to a Compact with Young Australians (the Compact) that provides incentives to stay in, or return to, an education or training pathway. All young people aged 15 - 24 will have an entitlement to a place in school, training or higher education, subject to availability and meeting admission requirements. All young people who are aged 17 or under must be engaged full time in school, training or employment, or a combination of these, that is, learning or earning. All Governments have agreed to ensure that at least 90 per cent of all young people attain Year 12 or its equivalent by 2015.
In support of the Compact with Young Australians, the Australian and State and Territory Governments have entered into a National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions. As part of the Australian Government‚s contribution to this National Partnership, existing youth, transitions and career programs will be consolidated into two new programs from
1 January 2010:
• School Business Community Partnership Brokers (Partnership Brokers) will create and improve partnerships between community, business and industry, and schools, to extend learning beyond the classroom, increase student engagement, lift attainment and improve educational outcomes. ($182.9m over four years).
• Youth Connections will provide a safety net for young people who have disengaged or are at risk of disengaging from education, and will offer flexible case managed support and services that recognise the role that family and community play in a young person‚s wellbeing and development. ($286.8m over four years).
