Released 25/07/2017
More than 90% of young people who completed an ACT Senior Secondary Certificate in 2015 were employed and/or undertaking further study in 2016, according to a new report I am sharing today.
The ACT Post School Destinations and Pathways in 2016 report tells us a lot about what our 2015 year 12 graduates and school leavers are doing. It is great to see that so many of our former students have moved on to bigger things, whether it is further study, employment or both.
One of the important roles of our schools is to educate and foster our young people and prepare them for their life after school. ACT school leavers and graduates, who through the education and training choices we provide, have incredible opportunities for the next step in their life journey.
One of the key pathways for students is apprenticeships. Through the “Vocational Education and Training in Schools” program students can start an apprenticeship while at the same time completing their schooling. Supporting Canberrans to enter trade occupations makes an important contribution to the growth of our city and economy.
This survey shows us that 92% of 2015 year 12 graduates are employed and/or studying in 2016 while almost three-quarters of young people who left school before completing their Senior Secondary Certificate were also employed and/or studying in 2016. Of our 2015 graduates who are studying this year, 67% were studying a higher education course while 29% were studying a VET course.
It was also great to see that many of the services our schools provide to help guide students have had a positive impact on future pathways. The survey found that students who received career counselling in college and those who participated in work experience were more likely to be studying or working this year.
These results provide important information for our planning, development and types of education and training choices we provide for our young people.
There is, however, a small group of young people who do not continue with study or find employment. I am very keen to see how we can better support our students while at school by providing other options to make it easier or more relevant to complete year 12, or look at other supportive pathways into further study and employment after leaving school.
The report I am sharing today also includes results from the Education Directorate’s follow-up survey of 2013 year 12 graduates and school leavers. We’ve checked back in to see how these former students are going a couple of years later.
These results were also positive, with 97% of 2013 year 12 graduates and 81% of 2013 school leavers employed and/or studying this year. Many of our young people who said they were going to study in the future followed through with their intention, with the percentage of 2013 year 12 graduates studying increasing from 59% in 2014 to 74% in 2016. The survey also found that 86% of the 2013 year 12 graduates who deferred university in 2014 were attending university in 2016.
It is great to see that our public school system is providing a good platform for our graduates and school leavers to commence their life as young adults. Over the coming weeks we will be looking at this information to see how the ACT can do even better for its young people.
The ACT Post School Destinations and Pathways in 2016 report can be viewed at www.education.act.gov.au.
- Statement ends -
Yvette Berry, MLA | Media Releases
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