School: Engadine High School (NSW)
Partner: Sutherland Business Education Network (BEN)
Engadine High School is a comprehensive, co-educational school of 900 students in an urban setting south of Sydney. The school has a High School Support Unit that caters for students with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities. The partnership project is built on an earlier pilot program that was aimed at easing the transition from school to work for these students.
The pilot program involved Engadine working in conjunction with another school that has a similar support unit for intellectually disabled students – Endeavour High School – Sutherland BEN (Business Education Network) Inc. Sutherland BEN create and enhance partnerships with education providers, industry, the community and parents that support young people in their transition through education and into the workforce.
Prior to the program, the targeted students expressed anxiety about the prospect of going to a workplace after leaving school. Evidence from the pilot program in the form of written and verbal student evaluations has shown the difference such an initiative can make to young people’s self esteem and confidence and awareness of career options.
Following the success of the pilot program, the two schools intend to conduct a similar program with a wider range of schools. The management of the school-to-work transition is considered to be critical for students with disabilities. The program will also involve the Sutherland College of TAFE and the Sutherland Shire Council. The TAFE will deliver short ‘taster’ courses to help the students identify their preferred future training options and the Council will provide opportunities for students to experience particular career options such as horticulture and clerical work.
The program, known as the Career Springboard Project, will involve industry visits and activities in a range of vocational areas potentially suitable for these students, together with attendance at annual careers and expos. Students will participate in both individual and crew, work experience activities in a real workplace over a five day period. All students will also work together over two to three weeks, for two hours per week on a service learning activity, such as gardening or brick laying at a local school or community facility, under the supervision of an industry mentor.
The partnership is designed to benefit students in a number of ways – greater awareness of career options, demystification of the world of work, the development of confidence and communication skills and a whole range of employability skills, including time management, grooming and hygiene and appropriate workplace behaviours. These outcomes will be closely monitored, using feedback from participants, parents, teachers, Principals and objective data, such as attendance rates and student destination surveys.
Sutherland BEN benefits from the partnership by raising their profile in the local community and in the education sector, as well as contributing to a sustainable partnership which supports young people’s learning and improves transition outcomes.
