2021 GATEWAY LLEN
ANNUAL REPORT
Acknowledgement of Country
Gateway Local Learning and Employment Network acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present.
Gateway
honouring
Local
Australian
Learning
Aboriginal
and and
Employment Torres
Strait
Network Islander
is
committed
peoples’
to
unique
cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
Tackling Disadvantage
Fostering Connections
Communities
Gateway LLEN is a community organisation that aims to empower young people that are disengaged from schools, employment or the region they live in. We do this through connecting them with educational programs, industryspecific training and community-based initiatives.
Local Services
Partnering with local services is key to how Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) operate. Gateway LLEN aims to serve our community by working
with
autonomy.
local
services
which
improve
the
regions'
economy
and
Contents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Overview
Chair & Executive Report
Strategic Plan
Key Initiatives
Structured Workplace Learning
Staff
Committee of Management
Overview Gateway Local Learning & Employment Network (Gateway LLEN) is an independent incorporated organisation that services contracts and funding that allow us to better support young people in our community.
In 2021, Gateway LLEN held the following contracts:
Disengaged Student Grant
On Track Connect
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION &
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION &
TRAINING
TRAINING
Facilitate partnerships to keep or
Provide referral support to local young
reengage young people in meaningful
people who are out of school and not
education
engaged in education or employment
Structured Workplace Learning
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION & TRAINING
Create opportunities for young people to connect with employers through quality workplace learning opportunities that connect vocational studies with onthe-job work placement
Gateway LLEN has over 120 members in the local government areas of Manningham, Monash and Whitehorse and has strong relationships with over 45 school and educational providers and more than 150 local businesses.
The Year in Review Chair & Executive Report
2021 saw us enter the second year of the Covid- 19 pandemic, with on and off lockdowns and general disruptions to our personal and professional lives. To repeat a statement made in last years report, to say that 2021 was a year of challenges is an understatement!
The
operation
of
the
LLEN
continued
to
be
severely
impacted
by
not
only
the
necessity for the Gateway team to work from home for most of the year, but also the lack of access to those who we serve, the young people completing their senior secondary education.
Working remotely for most of the year was such a pity, as the
Gateway team did not have the opportunity to really utilise the new office space which was occupied in November of 2020.
In recognition of the limitation to achieve the targets set out in the 2021 Common Funding Agreement, DET provided each LLEN with the opportunity for additional activities
to
mechanism
be
included
provided
as
the
deliverables
flexibility
by
signing
required
to
a
Letter
continue
of
Variation.
working
within
This the
limitations of the pandemic.
In 2021 Gateway LLEN facilitated 14 onsite workshops for a total of 326 Years 11 and 12 VET/ VCAL students. (WRS)
curriculum
workshops,
and
topics
Designed to specifically support VCAL Work Related Skills promote
covered
Structured
included
Workplace
communication,
Learning
teamwork,
(SWL),
the
initiative
and
enterprise, planning and organising and students were supported to develop the skills required when seeking and undertaking both SWL and casual employment. The LLEN also partnered with the BHI Skills & Jobs Centre and OE LLEN to host the National
Careers
Week
Industry
Webinars,
which
provided
an
opportunity
for
secondary school students to access industry specific information, designed to help students build confidence around their career pathways and post-school options during this period of uncertainty.
These were well attended with students across
the region participating in real time via zoom.
Gateway expanded the Virtual Work
Reality suite, ensuring content remained current and engaging.
As in past years, the success of Gateway LLEN would not have been possible if it were not for the support from the members of the Gateway LLEN and key project stakeholders.
On behalf of Gateway LLEN, we would like to acknowledge and thank
our valued members and partners who have supported and assisted us in 2021.
The Year in Review Chair & Executive Report
Following
the
acknowledge
challenges the
role
of
that the
we
all
experienced
Committee
of
in
2021
Management
we who
would
like
to
continued
to
generously give their time and their expertise on a voluntary basis. We are all now experts in running our Committee of Management meeting on Zoom!
We would also like to acknowledge the work of the entire Gateway team for their continued professionalism and commitment during 2021.
Gateway LLEN as part of the VicLLENs group looks forward to working with the, Senior Secondary Pathways ReformTaskforce of the Department of Education and Training towards a long-term contract for LLEN post 2022. A long-term contract will facilitate long term strategy planning to support the important work the LLEN will undertake in the roll-out of the Senior Secondary Reform Agenda to assist young people in our region reach their personal best.
Angela Hoare-Lippmann, Gateway LLEN Chair
Bronwen Henry, Executive Officer
Gateway LLEN Strategic Plan Our Vision:
All young people are supported to aspire to and achieve the very best possible education, training and employment outcomes
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
LOCAL
LEARNING
We develop and implement innovative
We advocate making education
and creative ways to engage the most
accessible and engaging for all young
vulnerable young people into education,
people so they can progress on their
training and employment in the
chosen pathway
Manningham, Monash & Whitehorse municipalities
EMPLOYMENT
NETWORK
We build linkages between schools,
We engage in community building
business and industry to better identify
through cooperative approaches to
local skills shortages and support
community renewal and coordination of
increased opportunities for young
service delivery
people to make effective career choices
Key Initiatives International Women's Day Social Entrepreneurship
Gateway LLEN partnered with Young Change Agents to facilitate two workshops for secondary
schools
Day/Week.
The partnership was also designedto provide female STEM students a
in
the
Gateway
LLEN
region
for
International
Women's
variety of progressive activities within a practical/ corporate workplace.
The full-day workshops, where female/ identifying as female students learnt about entrepreneurship, design thinking and how to start up their own business were developed to enable
students to identify problems and develop and test solutions
that they could bring to life in the form of a social enterprise.
During the workshop girls will learn about entrepreneurship, design thinking and how to start up their own business. Students will identify problems and develop and test solutions that they will bring to life in the form of a social enterprise. At the end of the workshop, students will present their ideas to a panel of school staff.
Gateway LLEN's school consultation found that STEM was a priority industry sectors and areas of interest for schools. In addition, 72% of survey respondents indicated specific interest in careers and pathways and 70% in jobs of the future. 19
school
consultation
also
related themed activities.
indicated
that
schools
would
be
Post-COVID-
interested
in
work
Key Initiatives CafEd Barista At CafEd both the VET Teacher and Café Manager provide a nurturing, environment that encourages students to achieve success in a functioning café environment. Students also gain experience in barista work and complete food safety training.
In 2021, Gateway LLEN has partnered with CafEd and Berengarra School to provide small, supportive barista taster programs to students from Bulleen Heights School. The onsite workshops at Café Ed in Ashwood, focus on industry-specific pre-VET work skills and the partnership is designed to provide students with a disability preaccredited training in the hospitality sector.
This partnership is designed to actively support students with a disability and align with 2020/ 21 stakeholder consultation that identified 39% of respondents indicated specific interest in pre-vocational opportunities for students with a disability and 58% in the hospitality sector.
Key Initiatives Manningham Youth Employment Pathways Program (MYEPP)
Addressing confident Gateway Volunteer
unemployment
and LLEN
connected partnered
Resource
amongst
youth with
Services
to
led
youth to
a
and
Manningham develop
acknowledging
brighter
a
and
Youth
safer
Services
place-based
that
empowered,
community and
strategic,
for
all,
Manningham
council-funded
initiative.
COVID-19
has
had
a
significant
effect
on
everyone.
In
Manningham,
the
unemployment rate amongst youth has increased by seventy per cent (Manningham Economic Development Unit, 2020). This has had an impact on the mental health status
and
general
community.
The
wellbeing
uncertainty
of of
youth what
in
last
Manningham year
as
entailed
well
left
the
as
the
last
broader
cohort
of
students and young people with limited opportunities to flourish into their chosen employment pathway. To avoid a compounding effect when the current cohort is job-ready, Manningham Council has funded the Manningham Youth Employment Pathways Project.
The
MYEPP
employment
project such
was
as
designed
qualifications,
to
break
access
through
and
the
transport,
multiple
barriers
communication
to
and
presentation skills and job readiness. The delivery took place over three tiers: inschool and knowledge-based workshops, youth volunteer placements and referralbased youth case management.
Organisations, businesses, and agencies within Manningham with a desire to keep connected within their community joined the MYEPP program to deliver meaningful volunteering experiences to local young people. This community capacity building led to greater employment opportunities for the youth of Manningham, while notfor-profit and profit businesses alike had a chance to showcase and promote their services, products, and team to the wider community.
Key Initiatives National Careers Week Industry Webinars
Celebrating both 20 Years of LLEN and the 10th anniversary of National Careers Week, gateway LLEN partnered with Box Hill Institute Skills & Jobs Centre & OE LLEN, Gateway LLEN to host a series of industry-specific webinars online.
Five webinars
were held across National Careers Week (17-23 May 2021) to bring together schools and
industries,
including
those
who
have
been
adversely
affected
by
the
cancellation of events such as career expos.
Webinars provided an opportunity for secondary school students to access industryspecific information, designed to help students build confidence around their career pathways and post-school options during this period of uncertainty.
This partnership connects particularly to Gateway LLEN’s school consultation where 79% of survey respondents identified that VET students would benefit from industry opportunities/ activities; 79% of survey respondents indicated specific interest in career/pathway events and 85% indicated a desire for online or blended schoolindustry and was designed to support local secondary schools and adapt standard programs and services where necessary due to Covid-19.
The priority industry
sectors, and areas of interests identified by schools in the region via 2020/21 school stakeholder
surveys
Telecommunications,
(Sport
and
Community
Recreation,
Information
Services/Health,
Hospitality,
Technology Hair
&
&
Beauty,
Construction) informed the content of each webinar.
The webinars are based on an online Q&A model and during the event, participants heard from:
·
Employers/industry
representatives
offering
an
insight
into
their
relevant
professions ·
Young people that have recently started working in the industry
There was also an opportunity for participants to ask questions and engage with the presenters during the facilitated panel Q&A session.
One specific industry was the
focus of each session and as part of National Careers Week, one session per day facilitated.
Over
300
students
registered
for
the
series
from
the
Gateway
recording of each webinar was sent to all those that registered.
region
and
a
Key Initiatives Regional Consultation
To best develop targeted partnerships in local areas and across the state, and to identify
emerging
apprenticeships,
issues
such
disruption
to
as
technology
transitions
provision,
and
loss
pathways,
of
traineeships
scalable
and
place-based
responses Gateway LLEN conducted three regional surveys in 2021.
This consultation also supports DET through the provision of relevant information to industry
and
community
partners
and
other
state
and
local
stakeholders
as
required and also provides key findings following engagement with partners and stakeholders, such as identification and timing of when industries are ready to reengage with students.
Gateway LLEN School Stakeholder Survey – 3 regional stakeholder surveys
All schools were surveyed in December 2020, May 2021, and August 2021 to identify:
student cohorts who would benefit from school-industry partnership opportunities/activities priority industry sectors at your school and areas of interest for your school type of school-industry activities that you school would be interested in school-industry engagement opportunities that you school would be interested in online/ remote activities your school would be interested in support during COVID-19, including any topics that you would like to see in webinars, live chats, videos and events further information relating to school-industry engagement that you feel may be of assistance in progressing this initiative into 2021
Key Initiatives
Survey results identified school priorities in the Gateway LLEN region as:
-Develop and/or collaborate on school-industry engagement programs -Identify opportunities to complement existing school-industry curriculum/programs -Preference for blended in-person/ virtual programs -Priority employment & training sectors -Virtual mock interviews -Careers/Pathways planning -Virtual industry tours -Work related/work readiness skills -Q&A industry chats for students -Recorded videos for students -Expos/events online -Live chats for students -Podcasts -Professional development webinars
Gateway LLEN COVID-19 Impact School Stakeholder Survey
All schools in the Gateway region were surveyed in October 2021 to assess the impact of COVID 19 for Year 11 and 12 students 2021.
Survey results are used as a continuous improvement tool and inform all work that Gateway LLEN is undertaking.
Key Initiatives Senior Secondary Reform
Victoria is moving to a new integrated senior secondary certificate in 2023, which will be
fully
integrated
Education
(VCE)
by
and
2025.
This
Victorian
will
bring
Certificate
of
together Applied
the
Victorian
Learning
Certificate
(VCAL)
of
certificates.
These reforms will ensure every student has the skills they need to find rewarding careers and reach their full potential.
A new Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) will also be introduced in 2023 to replace Foundation VCAL. The VPC is designed to support students to transition either to the VCE Vocational Major or to entry level VET or employment. The VPC is suitable for students
whose
previous
schooling
experience
may
have
been
disrupted
for
a
variety of reasons, including students with additional needs, students who have missed significant periods of learning and vulnerable students at risk of disengaging from their education.
It is intended that students undertaking these pathways will have access to an enriched curriculum as well as relevant workplace experiences based on their career goals that will develop their real-world knowledge, and technical and transferrable skills that will set them up for further education and employment.
The certificate reforms are part of a suite of 38 recommendations from the review into vocational and applied learning pathways for senior secondary students (the Firth Review), led by former VCAA Chief Executive Officer, John Firth. The Firth Review found that we need to do more to make vocational and applied learning in schools consistently high quality, relevant to the needs of students and employers, and accessible to all students across the state. Key recommendations were to create a new vocational and applied learning pathway within the VCE and a new foundation certificate.
To best support schools in navigating this period of transition, and to support the continuation of VET deliveryin the Gateway LLEN region in this period of change, Gateway LLEN:
- Established of a regional working group to identify strategic actions in response to the Firth Review and recommendations, Senior Secondary Reform (SSR) and the Macklin Review.
The working group consisted of members from a cross-section of
stakeholders including government secondary schools, TAFE and other RTO’s and associated sector professionals. -
Conducted
region
targeted
regarding
Firth
consultations
with
recommendations
secondary and
SSR,
schools to
across
inform
the
Gateway
forward
strategic
planning and develop a regional feedback response to the “Review into vocational and applied learning pathways in senior secondary schooling”. - Facilitated a Senior Secondary Reform (SSR) regional briefing conducted by the CEO of the Victorian Applied Learning Association (VALA).
Key Initiatives Virtual Delivery
In consultation with the Department of Education & Training (DET), TAFE providers, schools and industry in the Gateway region, Gateway LLEN has determined that many young people do not access quality career development and lack knowledge and awareness of cornerstone employability skills.
To “break the link with disadvantage” (Education State Agenda) and build a high performing
and
adaptable
future
workforce
in
the
Inner
East,
Gateway
LLEN
brokered initiatives that recognised and responded to the needs of young people in the
local
region
by
contextualising
and
tailoring
activities
that
encourage
the
development of skills that recognise both labour market opportunities and personal interests and abilities.
We have done this by brokering partnerships and opportunities that support young people attending secondary school in the Gateway LLEN region to engage with industry, young
improve
people,
support
young
career
negotiate people
in
development
services
in
schools
organisational
change
in
targeted
the
workplace,
identify
service
or
other
industry
gaps
and
settings
for
partners
to
appropriate
opportunities for improvement and support schools to implement relevant change in the VCAL curriculum.
This has been particularly relevant in 2020, where the landscape of engagement was impacted so completely by COVID-19.
The LLEN conducted extensive consultation
with our schools between May and August 2020 and through this, the need for remote and engaging programming was clearly determined. from
school
interest
in
schools
were
consultation
careers
and
interested
where
72%
pathways. in
of
survey
“COVID-19”
online/remote
Themes were derived
respondents
school
activities
indicated
consultation
with
75%
specific
indicated
interested
related themed activities and 58% in careers and pathways planning.
in
that work
In response,
Gateway strategically redirected operations and developed six new partnerships designed
to
provide
professional
development
for
teachers,
direct
employer
engagement, VET exploration and employability skills.
Thanks to these partnerships with the Box Hill Institute Skills and Job Centre, Lions Club, the City of Whitehorse, Apprenticeship Support Services and Eastern Careers Network, over 280 teachers and students actively participated in virtual programs.
Key Initiatives Virtual Work Reality
Virtual
Work
Reality
www.virtualworkreality.com.au
is
a
range
of
virtual
career
education tools and resources for educators, support staff, students and parents. This integrated suite includes masterclasses, podcasts TED-style industry interviews, an industry speaker bank and mock job interviews conducted by local industry professionals.
The
Virtual
Work
Reality
platform
provides
secondary
students
knowledge, and confidence to think about their future careers.
with
the
skills,
The Virtual Work
Reality website was developed in 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing
lockdowns
and
the
challenges
this
posed
to
educators.
Our
school
consultation at the time indicated the need for engaging online/remote activities so a resource was developed that was designed to provide professional development for teachers, direct employer engagement, VET exploration and employability skills. The utilisation of the resource and feedback from teachers (and students) has been fantastic and we hope to continue to grow the suite of available activities.
Podcasts In response to the surge in podcast listening nationwide, and seeing an opportunity to connect to new audiences, Gateway LLEN recently developed two new podcast series:
Hosted
by
Jan
Owen,
New
Work
Bites
explores
the
changing
landscape
and
transition from school into work, providing leading-edge insights and valuable tips into different pathway options for students, educators, parents, and guardians.
Career Bites, Gateway’s second podcast series, features interviews with people in a range
of
industries,
including
construction
and
electrical,
hair
and
beauty,
and
health services, each discussing their unique career journeys.
Webinars A series of inspiring interviews with industry professionals about their work and career journey, the webinar series also sees our guests share tips on how students can prepare for work in their industry.
The inaugural webinar series provides students with the opportunity to learn about careers and pathways in several different industries.
Viewers are encouraged to
actively participate in the full series of webinars to get exposure to a broad range of industries and pathways.
Key Initiatives
Construction
Webinar:
provides
students
with
the
opportunity
to
learn
about
careers and pathways in the construction industry.
Hair & Beauty Webinar:
provides students with the opportunity to learn about
careers and pathways in the hair and beauty industry.
Health & Community Services Webinar:
provides students with the opportunity to
learn about careers and pathways in the health and community services industry.
Hospitality Webinar:
provides students with the opportunity to learn about careers
and pathways in the hospitality industry.
Sport & Recreation Webinar:
provides students with the opportunity to learn about
careers and pathways in the sport and recreation industry.
Masterclasses Masterclasses kickstart
provide
rewarding
students
futures.
with
The
the
skills,
knowledge,
Masterclasses
are
and
taught
confidence
online
to
(virtually),
connecting young people with the world of work in a fun and inspiring way.
All
classes are mapped to VCAL and the Victorian Careers Curriculum Framework and include classroom activities for students to have a similar experience to in-person courses. Each Masterclass has a specific focus on a different career skill or pathway – from networking and communication to personal branding and interview success.
Topics: Know Yourself: Students will develop self-awareness and understand how it relates to careers. Effective Communication & Networking: Students will learn the communication and networking skills needed for career success. Success
at
Interviews:
Students
will
explore
the
skills
needed
for
success
in
interviews. Brand
You:
Students
will
explore
and
develop
understand how important it is for future success.
their
own
career
brand
and
Key Initiatives
Career Interviews
A series of inspiring interviews with industry professionals about their work and career journey.
They also share tips on how students can prepare for work in their
industry.
Students hear from an award-winning filmmaker and producer, graphic designer and tattoo artist, hair colourist and stylist and dietitian and nutritionist.
Industry Speakers
Our speakers are local industry professionals that come from various backgrounds, job and career pathways.
They can be booked for a virtual Q&A chat with groups of
secondary school students.
Our industry speakers come from various backgrounds, job and career pathways. They
are
available
to
deliver
presentations
via
online
platforms
to
secondary
schools.
Speaker topics: - Industry-related job and career pathways - Inspiring career pathways - Work skills - resume writing, job applications and interview tips
Virtual Mock Interviews
Virtual
mock
interviews
provide
students
with
an
opportunity
to
practice
and
improve their work readiness and employability skills, as well as help prepare them for future job interviews.
Key Initiatives Vocational Education & Training (VET) Student Workshops
In 2021 Gateway LLEN facilitated 14 onsite workshops for a total of 326 Years 11 and 12 VET/ VCAL students.
Supporting VCAL Work Related Skills (WRS) curriculum and promoting Structured Workplace Learning (SWL), the workshops were designed to:
• integrate learning about work skills with prior knowledge and experiences • enhance the development of employability skills through work related contexts • develop and apply transferable skills for work related activities • Promote SWL as an activity that can be used to meet some or all the learning outcomes of VET and WRS
Topics
covered
included
communication,
teamwork,
initiative
and
enterprise,
planning and organising and students were supported to develop the skills required when seeking and undertaking both SWL and casual employment.
Workshop content and facilitation directly connected with Gateway LLEN’s 2020/ 2021
school
consultation
where
52%
of
survey
respondents
indicated
specific
interest in in work related skills and 47% in VET. In addition, 70% of those surveyed indicated
a
desire
existing curriculum.
for
LLEN
support
in
identifying
opportunities
to
complement
Structured Workplace Learning
Gateway
LLEN
is
funded
to
coordinate
Structured
Workplace
Learning
(SWL)
opportunities for school students in the local government areas of Manningham, Monash and Whitehorse who are undertaking Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs including SBATs, as part of their VCE or VCAL. SWL is on-the-job training that allows school students to develop their work skills and understand employer expectations.
Work placements are incredibly valuable
when it comes to seeking future employment. Students who undertake an SWL placement benefit in the following ways:
They gain industry experience in a workplace setting They learn important skills related to their study The placement provides on-the-job training to support VET programs They can establish connections with employers
COVID-19 and metropolitan lockdowns throughout 2021 have made achieving KPI 2 extremely challenging. due
to
limited
opportunities. challenging
Many employers have been unable to take SWL students
capacity
to
Recruitment
as
employers
supervise of
were
new
and/
or
employers
anxious
not
to
provide
to
the
commit
quality
program to
new
placement
also
proved
things
and/
or
overextend themselves.
Despite this and the impact of rolling lockdowns and closures, Gateway LLEN was able to achieve 58% of its original placement target (am improvement of nearly 33% from 2020), facilitating and supporting 201 young people in their SWL journey.
Gateway LLEN exceeded provision of access to quality school-based apprenticeships and
traineeships
(SBATs)
by
over
300%
due
to
a
partnership between Gateway LLEN and Team Tafe.
long-standing
and
strategic
Specifically, this partnership
promotes successful delivery of SBATs within schools through increased awareness and training, and through responding to needs within schools and the community. It increases opportunities for young people in the region to access secure hospitality SBATs
as
a
Coordinators
viable also
career provide
and
training
professional
option.
Where
development
to
applicable, relevant
our
staff
in
SWL the
requirements and provision of the Team TAFE model and act as a link between schools and the host.
Staff
Bronwen Henry EXECUTIVE OFFICER Bianca Spence SENIOR PROJECT OFFICER Ashlea King PROJECT WORKER Melissa Ramsay STRUCTURED WORKPLACE LEARNING COORDINATOR Daisy Henry STRUCTURED WORKPLACE LEARNING COORDINATOR & CONTENT CREATOR Melissa White OFFICE MANAGER
Committee of Management
Angela Hoare-Lippmann, Chair BOX HILL INSTITUTE/COUNCIL ADULT EDUCATION Melinda Brown, Deputy Chair AVENUE NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE @ ELEY Frank Perrone, Treasurer WHITEHORSE CITY COUNCIL Michelle Thompson, Secretary FAMILY ACCESS NETWORK Rebecca Eames VIRTUAL SCHOOL VICTORIA Liam O’Neill TEMPLESTOWE COLLEGE Michael Meehan BOX HILL INSTITUTE/ COUNCIL ADULT EDUCATION Ben Heard CITY OF MONASH Jose Abalo DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES