Early school leavers at risk

The key problem explored by this recent research project is whether initial vocational education and training (VET) and associated support services assist early school leavers to negotiate an effective transition from school to adult roles. The project aimed to generate a multi-perspective understanding of the school-to-work transitions experienced by early school leavers in two areas of the Central Coast of New South Wales, with a particular emphasis on the role played by VET and VET providers in their transition. The research comprised a diversity of approaches including: a review of selected literature aimed at grounding the research in a theoretical, historical and policy context; an examination of the recent history of Commonwealth and State initial VET policies and programs for young people leaving school; an analysis of the Central Coast region of New South Wales using 1996 census data and TAFE participation patterns and labour market conditions facing young people in Gosford and Wyong local government areas (LGAs), providing a social and economic context; and interviews with a sample of two groups of 20 young people who had left school in Year 11 and lived in Gosford and Wyong LGAs. One of the groups consisted of early school leavers who had not accessed employment and/or training within the 6-12 months since leaving school. The other was a comparison group who had successfully gained employment and/or training within the 6-12 months since leaving school. Telephone interviews were conducted with local service providers and relevant professionals in order to generate information about coordination issues and telephone interviews with local businesses and employers, in order to generate information about their perspective on issues concerning services, training and employment for early school leavers.