Page 5484 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 16 November 2011
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classroom and onsite experiences. It shows students how formal education can benefit them in the workplace. It is a terrific example of how collaboration between industry and schools can work. On completion of the program the students receive a certificate II in construction, another great incentive.
This year students have been involved in the construction of a barbecue at Belconnen high school as well as the construction of circular and rectangular brick planter boxes as part of an Anzac memorial garden at Campbell high school. They have developed skills not only in construction, especially in buttering bricks, but also in their personal development, through linking accredited training with the world of work.
The ACT government has been highly supportive of this industry initiative since its inception in 2002. We recognise the importance of finding alternative teaching methods and environments to encourage students to stay engaged in our education system. We also value the benefits that students derive from vocational education and training. It is outcomes such as these that will ensure that we can develop Canberra as the nation’s learning capital, which is the vision of the ACT Tertiary Taskforce. Through the Kids Assist program we are upholding the ACT youth commitment under the national partnership on youth attainment and transitions. The ACT youth commitment was established to engage young people in education and training and to assist young people in making a successful transition from school into further education, training or employment.
A recent graduate of the Kids Assist program has said: “This is a great way to get a taste of the industry if you’re unsure whether it is right for you. It will also get you a quick start when you first start out.” And teachers were equally positive. They said that students were well behaved and punctual and that students were working well around the school.
The Kids Assist program provides a unique chance for students at risk to engage in their training in a new and challenging way. I congratulate all the graduates and commend them on completing the Kids Assist program.
Legacy South Laurel Club
MR HANSON (Molonglo) (9.24): I rise tonight to talk about the Legacy South Laurel Club. The Legacy South Laurel Club is a group of Legacy widows who provide fellowship for each other, as well as provide support to other Legacy widows through such activities as phone calls and hospital visits. They support Legacy activities such as badge week. They support a number of charities, both indirectly and directly, through activities such as providing comfort packages and food parcels. They provide parcels which they send overseas to serving members and they also provide a morning tea to thank legatees who look after them and provide them with support.
I went to one of those activities last week and the array of food that was put on by the South Laurel club was fantastic. I take this opportunity to seek leave to table a report on the Legacy South Laurel Club that was provided to me by their president, Fay Hird.
Leave granted.
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