An Asia-ready workforce

ALKIRA Secondary College has been chosen to take part in a program aimed at developing Victoria as Australia’s most Asia-ready workforce.
Eight Victorian schools, including Akira in Cranbourne North, will participate in the State Government’s $13 million Victorian Young Leaders to China Program.
A group of students from Alkira will be chosen in the next few weeks to spend six weeks living and studying in China, departing in March next year.
The students will spend one week in intensive Mandarin language training, one week visiting key cultural sites and four weeks in classes at leading schools in Shanghai and Nanjing, capital of Victoria’s sister-state, Jiangsu Province.
Minister for Education Martin Dixon said the program was intended to develop Victoria as Australia’s most Asia-ready workforce.
“By strengthening the leadership and intercultural skills of a core group of young Victorians, and developing their understanding of our most important trading partner, we are giving Victoria a competitive advantage in the Asian century,” he said.
“The benefits of this program will extend far beyond the students and educators taking part, it will be a catalyst for promoting Chinese language and culture in schools across the state.”
The group will be the first of 1500 students from across Victoria who will take part in the program over the next five years.