Connections student Sam Borg said the new education program at William Angliss TAFE has helped him get his life back on track.
By Glen Atwell
STUDENTS disconnected from mainstream schooling will be given a second chance in a new program launched by William Angliss Institute of TAFE in Cranbourne.
Young people who have missed more than three months of school and who face personal or social barriers in recommencing their education will be eligible to participate in the new Connections program, which was launched on Friday.
The program is designed to ensure ‘at risk’ youths make a successful transition from high school to further education, training or employment.
One student, Sam Borg, said Connections had helped him get his life back on track.
“I got kicked out of Cranbourne Secondary College and was sort of down and out for a while,” the 16-year-old said.
“But someone recommended that I get in touch with William Angliss TAFE and everything has turned around since I first walked in the door.”
Sam, also a keen musician, completed a Certificate II in Tourism last year and has now turned his attention to a course in hospitality.
“It’s great. I’m doing a stack of new things and I’m enjoying it,” he said.
“In three weeks I’ll be moving back into the VCAL program, which is more school-based.”
William Angliss, in Berwick-Cranbourne Road, will deliver an integrated course comprising of Certificates in Vocational Education, Hospitality and Tourism, together with other key life skills and support services.
Connections will cater for young people spanning from Dandenong and surrounding suburbs in the east to Lang Lang in the south, Cockatoo in the north and Bunyip in the west.
William Angliss expects that more than 200 local youths disconnected from mainstream education, training and full-time employment will participate in the program over the next three years.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne said the education and support program would be of great benefit to young people in Cranbourne.
“The Connections program provides pathways to further education, training and employment for young people in our community who have been out of school,” he said.
“The funding from the Australian Government will allow William Angliss and its partner organisations to deliver the skills young people need to succeed in work and their future lives.”
