Adopt a School Programme

Aim

To build links between businesses, students, teachers and the broader school community through activities that increase knowledge and opportunities for careers and further education.

The ASP encompasses a suite of activities that benefit all young people including Indigenous young people, young people with a disability, young people ‘at risk’ of not making a successful transition through, and from school to further education and employment, and those with all levels of academic achievement.

A typical Adopt a School project:

is set within a particular industry sector;
runs to a project plan;
delivers hands-on learning for participating students;
provides participating students with an industry mentor;
produces a finished product;
celebrates the achievement of participating students through a community based event; and
runs an awards process for participating students.

Adopt a School projects will connect businesses with students through hands-on learning activities that will increase knowledge about training and career opportunities in a variety of industries, including in skills needs areas.

Objectives of the ASP

The Adopt a School Programme seeks to develop effective local partnerships between schools and businesses to achieve the following objectives:

facilitate engagement between industry and schools;
assist industry to meet future skills needs through the ASP;
increase student and industry participation in the ASP; and
promote the ASP to students, schools and employers

Nature of Assistance under the ASP

Supported by the industry links and local knowledge of their RICA, each LCP must encourage businesses to adopt a school(s) in order to engage young people in hands-on learning experiences in a specific industry sector, preferably in a skills needs or emerging industry sector.

An Adopt a School project may involve students from a number of local schools. LCP’s must work with local schools’ Principals, VET in Schools Coordinators and Career Advisers to identify students from the first year of secondary school to year 12 who may be interested in, or benefit from, participating in the type of hands-on vocational learning and career development experience available through an Adopt a School project.

LCP’s must support communication between young people, schools, parents and businesses and facilitate the development of Adopt a School projects. Businesses can provide a mentor who would typically spend time working with students on the project, and provide up-to-date information about career and training options in that industry.

Adopt a School projects can include building a product or planning an event as part of providing an experiential learning environment that allows the young person to learn about business in an authentic workplace. In all activities, support from local businesses is essential and will contribute to the success of the Adopt a School project. The level and type of support from businesses will be determined by the nature of the Adopt a School project.

Local businesses can assist with the provision of materials, mentors and promotion of events. Teachers and parents can also be closely involved in the project so that all stakeholders benefit from an increased understanding of the career opportunities in the relevant industry sector.

Encouraging businesses to Adopt a School will:

Raise the awareness of employability skills and the needs of business
Develop positive attitudes towards industry and local business
Build strong and ongoing relationships between businesses and schools
Provide students with practical career information and expose them to the workforce
Connect businesses, school students, teachers and parents in career pathways planning
Engage students and businesses in school based learning and work based learning
Provide opportunities for teachers and students to gain practical experience in business and industry
Provide businesses with opportunities to learn about the education sector
Ensure mutual benefits for schools, industry and businesses

Adopt a School Projects for students with special needs

The focus on hands-on learning experiences from Adopt a School projects can offer an effective model for engaging students with special needs in specific industries. The key role of employer mentoring and input from teachers and parents will further provide the support required for students with special needs to achieve positive outcomes. LCP’s must work closely with schools, RICA’s, employers and parents to provide assistance in modifying projects to suit the needs of students with special needs.

Target Groups/Clients

Young people (meaning from those in their first year of secondary school to students in year 12) who would benefit from a vocational learning and career development experience can be targeted to participate in Adopt a School projects.

Adopt a School Toolbox

An Adopt a School Toolbox is available to schools, LCP’s, industry and business employers for use across Australia. The Adopt a School Toolbox provides information for businesses and schools to participate in Adopt a School projects.

The internet site at http://www.getatrade.gov.au features an electronic version of the Toolbox along with other information to supplement the resource. Information will be regularly added to the site including success stories from Adopt a School participants. The website can also be used to publicly recognise Adopt a School project partners. Email adoptaschool@dest.gov.au to submit material for publication.