[Sub ID 4777] Wrap around services (Metro Assist Limited)

Submission ID: 4777
Organisation name: Metro Assist Limited
Contact name: Mr Lou Bacchiella
State: NSW
Contact email: lou.bacchiella@metroassist.org.au
Contact number: 0297893744

Which priority group of the Try, Test and Learn Fund does your idea support?
Young students at risk of long-term unemployment

What need or issue are you trying to address?
Our own experience and recent data indicate that young people experience high drop-out rates in tertiary education, apprenticeships and traineeships. The National Centre for Vocational Education Research reports that national completion rates for apprentices and trainees are less than 50%. The Commonwealth Department of Education figures reveal only 83% of students completed all their subjects at universities in 2013.

There is a strong correlation between high drop-out rates and future unemployment. Over the past 30 years of service in our local region and understanding local demographics, we have identified key underlying causes to disengagement with continued education:

1. A lack of guidance and positive influence from parents and carers who themselves have low educational attainment and engagement with schools and the education system
2. Limited knowledge of career pathways and options versus short-term goals
3. Social barriers such as mental health, family break-down or homelessness

Our idea addresses these issues by offering young people wrap-around casework support underpinned by the principle of person-centred practice. We will work with marginalised and disadvantaged young people and mobilise our partnership in the community. As a migrant resource centre, we have strong skills in working with the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and refugee population.

What is your idea?
To address the three above-mentioned challenges, our idea is based on holistic engagement by working with the young person, their peers, family, school, tertiary education institution and their community. We will establish personalised plans to assess underlying psycho-social factors that influence a young person’s circumstances, their strengths, motivational factors and goal setting. Activities will be geared to linking young people back to education, training and employment.

Interventions and activities include, but are not limited to:
– Case management
– Building self-awareness and resilience using self-mapping tools to find their goals, strengths and weaknesses
– Peer mentoring
– Guiding young people through career options through exposure to different industries and employers; run industry talks and ‘taster’ programs
– Operating arts and sports programs to build confidence, self-expression and social relationships
– Provide subsidised driving programs to help young people get their driver’s license
– Opportunities to spend time with their AFL or NRL heroes if they demonstrate good engagement outcomes, through our strong relationships with local clubs
– Presentation and interview skills through our Dress for Work program
– Social media workshops to enhance employability