ACE SOCIAL INCLUSION FORUM Sebel Sydney 26 February 2010 The Aboriginal Education and Training

1. ACE SOCIAL INCLUSION FORUM Sebel Sydney 26 February 2010 The Aboriginal Education and Training The Education and Training Strategy 2009-2012

2. The Aboriginal Education and Training The Education and Training Strategy 2009-2012 Acknowledgement of Country Merv Donovan, Leader TAFE Programs Aboriginal Education and Training Directorate

3. Aboriginal Education and Training Policy Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy 2009-2012 Aboriginal Human Resource Development Plan 2009-2011 Partnership Agreement between NSW Department of Education and Training and NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc.

4. Four pillars - Closing the Gap on Indigenous Disadvantage: The Challenge for Australia 26 February 2009 • All effort in policy must be governed by closing the gap targets. • Resetting the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. • Rebuilding everyday social norms that underpin strong families and strong communities. • Building of partnerships across all sectors of the Australian community. Six COAG Closing the Gap targets • Close the gap in life expectancy within a generation. • Halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five within a decade. • Ensure all Indigenous four-year olds in remote communities have access to early childhood education within five years. • Halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements for Indigenous children within a decade. • Halve the gap for Indigenous students in year 12 equivalent attainment by 2020. • Halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade. NSW State Plan and Two Ways Together • Embedding the principles of prevention and early intervention into Government services. • Increasing the proportion of children with skills for life and learning at school entry. • Strengthening Aboriginal communities by improving health, education and social outcomes. • Increasing levels of attainment for all students. • Ensuring more students complete Year 12 or recognised vocational training. • Ensuring more people participate in education and training throughout their life. • Providing better access to training in rural NSW to support local economies.

5. Aboriginal Education and Training Policy • 1.1.2 It is the goal of the Department that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will match or better the outcomes of the broader studentpopulation • Priorities within the Policy • Aboriginal education and training is core business for all staff • Collaborative decision making with Aboriginal people and communities • providing support for ‘mandatory Aboriginal cultural education through professional learning and career development experiences for all staff’ • Integrating actions into existing planning, implementation, review and reporting processes.

6. The Aboriginal Education and TrainingThe Education and Training Strategy 2009-2012 Goal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will match or better the outcomes of the broader student population.

7. Focus areas Leadership, planning and accountability • Planning for success for all Aboriginal students. • Collaborating with Aboriginal people in decision making at all levels. • Ensuring Aboriginal education and training is core business for all staff. Ongoing learning for staff and students • Increasing cultural competencies in Aboriginal Cultures for all staff. • Valuing and developing the capabilities of Aboriginal staff. • Educating all students about Aboriginal Australia. Relationships and pathways • Connecting people through partnerships that make a difference. • Strengthening whole of government approaches. Teaching and training • Accelerating progress in bridging the achievement gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. • Strengthening learning opportunities through research, innovation and collaboration.

8. The Aboriginal Education and Training Policy • Key reflections for all departmental staff: • What contributions can I make through my work to achieve the goal of the Policy? • What guidelines is the Policy giving me for my actions? • (Fact sheet What does the Aboriginal Education and Training Policy Mean for me? AETD intranet site) • How can our area of service delivery contribute to the goal of bridging the achievement gapbetween Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, directly or indirectly?

9. The Aboriginal Education and Training Policy Where can you find support? All Institute Directors have been briefed on the Policy and their leadership role in oversighting Institute planning to implement the Policy. The AETD intranet site is the source for support materials and useful links: https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/lists/directoratesaz/aet/policystrategy/index/htm A Guide for Turning Policy Into Action is planned for distribution with the Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy 2009-2012.

10. Aboriginal Enrolments in TAFE NSW 2004 2008 Change 04-06 All Aboriginal 19,954 29,135 46.0% All Enrolments 506,626 504, 009 -0.5% 15- 19 Enrolments in TAFE NSW All Aboriginal 6,291 9,721 54.5% All Enrolments 133,195 134,667 1.1% Enrolments at AQF and Above All Aboriginal 5,138 7,725 50.4% All Enrolments 198,180 215,046 8.5% TAFE NSW Graduates All Aboriginal 6,975 9,903 42.0% All Enrolments 236,709 209,391 -11.5%

11. TAFE OUTCOMES • Increased number of Aboriginal student enrolments in TAFE NSW and Adult Community Education. • Increased number of Aboriginal student enrolments in TAFE NSW and Adult Community Education courses at AQF III or above. • Increased number of Vocational Education and Training course completions by Aboriginal students in TAFE NSW and Adult Community Education. • Increased number of Vocational Education and Training course completions at AQF III or above by Aboriginal students in TAFE NSW and Adult Community Education. • Increased unit completion rates by Aboriginal students in TAFE NSW and Adult Community Education. • Increased proportion of Aboriginal graduates in TAFE NSW who are employed or participating in further education and training. • Increased number of Aboriginal students commencing an apprenticeship or a traineeship. • Increased number of apprenticeship and traineeship completions by Aboriginal students.

12. TAFE NSW North Coast Institute - Community Services Course for Young Aboriginal Mothers • TAFE NSW North Coast Institute, in partnership with the Biripi Aboriginal Medical Service, has been working with young Aboriginal Mothers in the Taree region. The young mothers range from 15 to 25 and are in enrolled in Certificate II Community Services.  • This program contributes to increasing the number of Aboriginal young people (in the 20-24 year old age group) who achieve Year 12 or a Certificate II or above. • The number of TAFE NSW qualifications at Certificate II and above completed by Aboriginal young people (20-24 year old age group) increased by 72.6% from 2004 to 2008 (248 to 428).

13. TAFE NSW North Coast Institute - V Tracks 2009 • V Tracks is an ‘Introduction to VET’ program where Aboriginal students can be involved with project-based learning activities at TAFE campuses, Schools and workplaces.  The courses and units are custom-designed for V Tracks and students are also enrolled in accredited units of study from the Statement of Attainment in Access to Work and Training. • This program highlights schools and TAFE NSW working in partnership to provide options to students in years 10, 11 & 12 for gaining recognised qualifications by giving Aboriginal students access to TAFE-delivered vocational education and training (TVET) programs while still enrolled at school.  These programs consist of nationally recognised units of competency or full qualifications. Across TAFE NSW, Aboriginal TVET enrolments show a 150 per cent increase from 2004–2008 . The 2009 year to date numbers indicates further increases for that year.

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