Page 3860 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 25 September 2019

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video


MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I could hear that question. I thank Mr Pettersson for the supplementary. Youth Week is an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate young people in our community. Youth Week is also a way for young people to get together, share ideas, attend events and simply have fun.

The 2020 Youth Week grants program is now open, and I encourage individuals and organisations to get involved and take part. Grants of up to $2,000 are available for new and innovative projects that enable young people aged 12 to 25 years to lead and participate in community development activities for other young people in Canberra.

Successful projects will build connections between community members, using sport and cultural or creative activities, boost opportunities for young people to participate in local events, activities and youth-related causes, and increase opportunities for young people through the development of leadership skills, project management skills, networking, teamwork and decision-making skills.

It is always great to follow the progress of past Youth Week grant recipients. Last year students at Hawker College used a Youth Week grant to host an outdoor movie night. Not only did the event provide the students with an opportunity to recognise and celebrate their own achievements and community; they took a leadership role in the organising and running of the event.

Canberra has a great community of children and young people, and I encourage them to start thinking about what they can do for Youth Week 2020. I encourage all members of this place to raise awareness of the opportunity to apply for Youth Week grants.

Mr Barr: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

Supplementary answers to questions without notice

Women—return to work program

MR BARR: Yesterday Mr Wall asked me a question about the return to work program for women and its offering in Tuggeranong. I can advise that there is no decision to cease the return to work for women program in 2020. The program was not included in the course guide of 2019, or indeed of 2018, as it is a program rather than a qualification.

The program is a 14-week course designed to help women who have experienced an extended absence from the workforce to improve or attain professional skills, including computing and digital literacy skills. The program has been a great success over recent years, with a 90 per cent completion rate and approximately 76 per cent of graduates going on to employment or further training.

The qualification is delivered through the program, the certificate II in skills for work and vocational pathways. That is included in the 2020 course guides. The program ran twice in 2018, with close to 30 women graduating with a certificate II in skills for work and vocational pathways. This year there has been one program in semester 1. Another is currently underway at the Tuggeranong campus.


Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video