YOUTH CONNECTIONS DIVISIONS
YOUTH SERVICES
Youth Connections provides a range of programs targeting youth matters. We cover areas such as reengagement back into schooling, VET mandated work placement and mentorship.
WORK PLACEMENT
Work Placement is a way of preparing senior school and TAFE students for employment. It is a mandatory HSC requirement for students studying ICF VET courses at school and TVET courses at TAFE NSW Colleges. Students complete a total of 70 hours over 2 years with a host employer in their chosen vocation.
This years COVID-19 restrictions and school closures presented dynamic and challenging environment for the work placement team and students alike, with some students still required to complete their mandated placement hours.
Regardless the Work Placement team continued to connect with host employers and coordinated 3620 placements this financial year for students from 39 High Schools and 7 TAFE NSW campuses in our service region of the Central Coast and Northern Sydney/Hills area.
This year presented unique problems which were solved with continuous tenacity and commitment of the work placement staff.
GENDER DISTRIBUTION
STUDENTS PLACED BY INDUSTRY
LINKS TO LEARNING
The Links to Learning Community Grants Program is administered by the NSW Department of Education. The Department provides funding to NSW based approved, not-for-profit, non-government community based organisations and local government authorities to deliver targeted projects to compulsory aged (Year 6 - Year 11) students at risk of disengaging from learning and/or at risk of leaving school early.
GENDER DISTRIBUTION
NUMBER OF STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS SERVED IN PROGRAMS
MEDIA CENTRE
Using industry software, students develop their skills in radio production by creating community service announcements, segments and performing musical pieces in studio.
As part of Youth Connections Media's community involvement, students also film content related to homelessness, indigenous rights, domestic violence and disability advocacy and are further encourage to create their own video projects that are posted on social media platforms.
Youth Connections’ Media Centre hosts a variety of work placement students from across the Central Coast and Sydney. Partnering with Coast FM 963, students host "Youth Hour" a music show showcasing their knowledge of musical artists.
Due to the closure of schools during the COVID-19 crisis our media centre was temporarily closed. When schools returned, so to did our Media Centre, with a focus on smaller classes and social distancing to ensure the safety of the students.
GENDER DISTRIBUTION
Premier’s Youth Initiative
However, the end results of maintaining study, gaining employment and developing all related skill sets are the measure of success.
While face to face delivery of the PYI program was impacted due to physical restrictions imposed by COVID-19 safety protocols, remote and online service delivery was unaffected and allowed our staff to continue to reach and impact the youth involved in the program.
The Premier's Youth Initiative (PYI) is a pilot program that provides services to young people leaving statutory out of home care in the Hunter and Central Coast region. PYI is run by Samaritans in partnership with Path2Change, My Foundations Youth Housing and Youth Connections. The pilot program gives young care leavers access to a personal advisor to help navigate their support services.
The program assists participants to develop strong personal networks and skills to navigate multiple adult support service systems and increase their capacity to manage crises and change as they transition to independence.
