A new program has been launched to target early school leavers in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay.
Reconnect, funded by the state government, aims to engage people aged 15 to 24 without a year 12 education by providing training and skills to help make the transition into further education, training or employment.
The Wyndham Community and Education Centre (WCEC) has partnered with Whitelion and WynBay LLEN to deliver the project across the two municipalities.
A full-time youth co-ordinator has been employed to lead the program.
WCEC chief executive Jennie Barrera says the project will target young people “falling through the cracks” to help improve their education and employment opportunities.
“Vulnerable young people who leave school early face significant barriers in their education, training and employment pathways and transitions unless targeted interventions and services are put in place to support them,” she said.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas was present to launch the program earlier this month, describing it as a “big win for the community”.
“We’re making sure the Wyndham Community and Education Centre has the resources it needs to engage with early school leavers,” he said.
“With the decline of young early school leavers in enrolling in vocational education, this Reconnect [program] is an important step to make sure young people have access to education and training services.”
For more details about Reconnect, call the WCEC on 9742 4013.
