Year13’s research has contributed to a landmark report aimed at helping school students know their best options for further education and training once they leave school.
Year13 Co-Founder Will Stubley said the report titled ‘Looking to the future – report of the review of senior secondary pathways into work, further education and training’ provided a valuable blueprint for governments and providers.
The panel conducted extensive consultations in each state and territory, and heard from education and industry leaders, teachers, parents and students. The Review also received over 200 written submissions.
“All of us at Year13 greatly appreciated the opportunity to make a submission to the expert panel, led by Professor Peter Shergold and look forward to working with Government to implement this plan,” Mr Stubley said.
“We know that school leavers can feel inundated by options and it is our job at Year13 to help them make that transition as smoothly as possible.
“Today’s report provides a valuable blueprint on the way forward, not only for an organisation such as ours but also for state and federal governments and ministers who all have the best interests of school leavers at heart.”
The report found that young people are increasingly anxious about the uncertainty of their futures and that the profound disruptions of COVID-19 have heightened that unease.
“Young people sense that normal life is unlikely to be fully restored (and) economic recovery is likely to be slow and patchy,” the report says.
“School leavers do not just need to be employable. They need to be adaptable, flexible and confident.
“Education must provide students with the essential attributes they require for lifelong learning in whatever fields of endeavour they may choose.”
Mr Stubley said the school leavers of today will need to acquire a wide range of skills to navigate current circumstances, let alone the future.
“The programs and mentoring we provide at Year13 are already providing real value for young people to find their path and the need for specialised assistance will only grow in an increasingly complex environment,” he said.
