Page 2795 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 13 August 2019
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As well as the increasing capacity, the government is upgrading ageing infrastructure to ensure that students are learning in the best facilities. We will be upgrading old and inefficient heating systems, a necessity given Canberra’s winters. These upgrades are happening at schools including Red Hill, Fadden, Forrest, Wanniassa and Lyneham primary schools, at Stromlo High School and at Hawker College. To ensure that our schools are energy efficient and comfortable for students, schools will receive upgrades including double-glazed windows, insulation and draft-proof roofing. Overall the government expects that this initiative will see a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of at least 621 tonnes.
The government believes in quality education and understands that a one-size-fits-all approach to student learning is not productive. That is why the government is investing in a wide range of education programs that will fit the diverse needs of very different students.
The budget has provided for accelerated pathways for gifted students in partnership with the University of Canberra. This is in addition to the established partnership with the Australian National University. UC will offer pathways for students in design, behavioural science, psychology, commerce and exercise science, while ANU will continue with courses in biology, chemistry, physics and maths. This will give more opportunities for students who excel in certain subjects to expand their knowledge and prepare for their future tertiary education.
As well as this initiative, the ACT government is building skills for Canberra workers and young people leaving school through the future skills for future jobs grant program. Our Labor government supports and champions vocational training at our CIT. This program will help young people who are transitioning from school to apprenticeships and encourage new pathways to train and upskill young people. This will ensure that our government is moving towards the target of an additional 4,165Â commencements of traineeships and apprenticeships in the territory over the next four years. These traineeships will be across a wide range of occupations that are in demand and will help grow our economy. This includes areas such as hospitality, health and community services, building and construction, digital technologies, tourism, renewable energy and cyber industries.
Additionally our government is improving the learning space at CIT Fyshwick to develop hands-on work environments. These programs will diversify our workforce and ensure that Canberra students are well equipped for whatever roles they want to pursue in the future.
Our government is committed to funding a wide range of programs for Canberra students so that all students are supported to reach their full potential. This support results in great results for our students. Canberra school leavers are achieving fantastic results, above the national average. Recent results have shown that 93 per cent of young people who graduate in 2017 were employed or undertaking further study in 2018, or both. This is higher than the national average of 87 per cent.
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