October 20, 2011
Teachers and principals from all over Australia came together to share best practice in careers curriculums as part of the annual Beacon Foundation National Conference in Melbourne this week.
The “Joining Forces” conference supported by Beacon partner AMP, brought together principals, teachers, coordinators, business and industry representatives and corporate supporters from all states and territories in Australia to discuss innovative and inspiring approaches to school to work transitions for students at Australian schools.
The event held at the Bayview on the Park in Melbourne attracted guest speakers such as researcher and bestselling author Michael McQueen, entrepreneur Paul Lacey from Kikki K, Lonely Planet’s Tony Wheeler, marketing guru Winston Marsh and Channel Nine and AFL personality Garry Lyon who was the closing key note speaker. Workshops and panel session allowed delegates to network and exchange ideas on delivering an innovative and effective Beacon program as part of an integrated careers curriculum.
Beacon founder and board chair, Bill Lawson, AM paid tribute to the delegates from 120 communities across Australia, thanking them for their role in helping to shape future pathways for young Australians.
The national awards dinner that recognises excellence amongst Beacon schools was a highlight of the two day event.
Beacon, a not for profit organisation that has been operating in Australian schools for 23 years, works in partnership with local community and business to inspire, upskill and offer opportunities to students as they transition from school to work. Beacon works in 120 schools across Australia and is this year working with 14,000 students through the Beoanc program. Delegates from Beacon schools included principals, teachers and careers coordinators, while industry and business representatives were also in attendance.
Beacon Chief Executive Scott Harris said the conference provided opportunities for educators to exchange ideas and best practice programs as part of the Beacon offering at their schools, and went even further, in discussing the role industry and business has in developing the next generation of Australian employees.
“There is much work being done within the Beacon program to align the needs of businesses and industry, and prepare students for their future” he said.
“The success of Beacon’s program rests heavily with wider community support for our young people and when we all join forces for the desired outcome, the results are phenomenal.”
- Post program, the percentage of 2010 Beacon students likely to go onto insecure or unclear pathways was halved from 30% to just under 13%.
- Beacon students are over five times less likely to be disengaged from full time education, training or employment after year 10 than the national average for 16 year olds
(Note: the Beacon disengagement rate is 1.2% and we consider students disengaged when they are not in full time work, education or training 6 months post year 10. The national average for 16year olds is 6.1%)
- The unemployment rate for Beacon students post year 10 is five times lower than the national unemployment rate for 16 year olds
(Note: the Beacon student unemployment rate is 0.4% while the national unemployment rate for 16 year olds is 2%. The national unemployment rate for 15-19 year olds – i.e. not just 16 year olds- is higher – usually around 20%).
- Beacon schools report above average grade progression from year 10 to 11. 92% of Beacon students were still in education six months post year 10.
(Note: this is 3% more than the national average of 89%. The average for low SES schools would ordinarily be lower.)
To influence the attitudes and culture of Australians so that each young person develops an independent will to achieve personal success through gainful activities, for themselves and their community. Through self help and enterprise, we aim to achieve our vision at the community level.
