The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to improving educational outcomes and creating a job ready generation of Tasmanians.
It is important to hear directly from young people on how they wish to be supported to learn both now and into the future.
I am pleased to today launch the Tasmanian Youth Forum and Education Reports which capture the ideas of Tasmania’s young people on learning and education.
The key findings published in the youth report highlight two main areas. Firstly, a need for practical opportunities for young people to develop skills for the workplace and adult life, and secondly more support for career guidance.
Both key findings will be carefully considered by the Department of Education.
Importantly, many of these issues are already being addressed through the Government’s My Education initiative, which is embedding career and life-planning education in every classroom, from Kinder right through to year 12.
My Education aims to create a job-ready generation of Tasmanian students who have the knowledge and skills to compete in a rapidly changing world and global economy. It aligns with the Australian Curriculum, and a range of Professional Learning opportunities are being coordinated by the Department of Education’s Professional Learning Institute to support trained teachers to implement My Education.
This is just one of the important reforms we have made to ensure young Tasmanians have the best opportunities when they leave school to get a job and live a fulfilling life.
We are progressing our work to make Year 11 and 12 easier to access in all communities by rolling out the Year 11 and 12 extension program in High Schools, and we are committed to working with the Beacon Foundation to assist with the engagement of business and industry in Tasmania and linking education with a student’s future employment options.
We are also in the process of reviewing the Education Act. Under the existing Education Act, Tasmanian students can legally leave school with as much as two years less education than others across the country. This has to change, Tasmanians deserve better. This is why we have proposed lowering the compulsory starting age by six months to four years and six months and increasing the leaving requirements to completion of Year 12, a Certificate III or turning 18, whichever comes first.
The Government’s initiatives will contribute significantly towards addressing issues identified by the Tasmanian Youth Forum reports.
I would like to congratulate the Youth Network of Tasmania, and its youth consultative arm, the Tasmanian Youth Forum for their valuable work, and I would also like to thank all the young people who have contributed to these reports.
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