1. Youth Support Coordinators
2. Get Set for Work
3. GAGAL Pre-Trade Program
4. Girls Electric

1. Youth Support Coordinators

The Youth Support Coordinators (YSC) program is funded by the Department of Communities and is part of the Queensland Government’s Education Training and Reforms for the Future and the Gladstone District Youth Achievement Plan. YSCs operate within the education sector and work closely with students to prevent them from disengaging from either “learning or earning”. GAGAL employs two full time YSCs in Gladstone and one part time YSC in Biloela.

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2. Get Set for Work

Get Set for Work (GS4W) is a Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation-funded project that addresses the learning and employment options available to young people and helps prepare them for employment. The program is primarily targeted at young people who are disengaged or are at risk of disengaging before completing Year 12. GS4W creates a transition pathway towards employment, returning to school, other education or training. GS4W provides skills that the young participants will need to communicate in an environment outside of mandatory schooling, as well as opportunities to gain general life and vocational skills. The program offers the chance to gain some practical work experience and develop practical skills. Successful completion of the GS4W program attracts 2 credit points towards a Queensland Certificate of Education.
The GS4W program offers;

• St John Ambulance First Aid & CPR (Accredited training)
• Use of portable fire equipment (Accredited training)
• Certificate I or II in Self Awareness and Development (Accredited training)
• Work Safely in the Construction Industry (White Card) replaces the construction Blue Card (Accredited training)
• Personal development & team building activities to develop social skills for work
• Referral & links to support services for personal & social issues
• Work experience opportunities
• Job preparation, resume writing & interview skills
• Information about jobs & career in the local area
• Opportunities to move on to work, traineeships & apprenticeships or other training
• Post program support to help sustain employment, training or further education outcomes

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3. GAGAL - Pre-Trade Program

The GAGAL Pre Trade Program provides training to Year 11 & 12 students interested in trade related careers.  The program has been designed in conjunction with real life industry expectations and thus supports successful transition into traineeships and apprenticeships. Year 11 & 12 students are provided the opportunity to complete a Certificate II in Engineering or Certificate II in General Construction.  Students interested in automotive, construction, plumbing, electrical and painting trade areas are also encouraged to enrol in the GAGAL Pre Trade Program.

The programme has a duration of 2 (two) years and participants are engaged for Years 11 & 12.  Pre Trade participants attend work experience / vocational placement one day per week, and are engaged in training one day per week. The ultimate goal of young people entering the program is to move into an apprenticeship or traineeship.
The training that participants receive if they complete the program is:

• Certificate II in Engineering or Construction
• First Aid Certificate
• Certificate II in Self Awareness and Development
• Construction Blue Care
• Fire Safety Training
• Vocational Placement Training

The programme has several focuses:
Skills development – Participants study core competencies at CQIT.  They are enrolled in Engineering or Construction Courses and complete competencies that are transferable to further career options.  
Skills application – Participants are provided the opportunity to apply their skills in real life industry situations through regular work placements with local industries throughout the duration of the program.
Employability development – instil basic employability skills of workplace communication and etiquette, workplace health and safety (WH & S), personal protective equipment (PPE), housekeeping, task planning, tool use and incident reporting that are transferable across a wide range of trade experiences.
Statistics:

In 2008, there were 27 participants in the Pre Trade Program with the following results:

• 14 have taken up apprenticeship/traineeship opportunities (2 with the Australian Technical College - Gladstone Region)
• 3 have left the program         
• 1 has taken up full time employment
• 1 has returned to full time school
• 8 are continuing with the program in 09.

In 2009, considering the economic downturn 26 participants commenced the program with 3 school based apprenticeships and 1 full time apprenticeship have been offered to participants. 3 students have decided to returning to full time school. 19 participants are enrolled with Tafe working towards their Certificate II and participating in work experience to enhance their prospects of obtaining apprenticeships.

Complete the application form and deliver to the GAGAL office with your supporting documents today!

GAGAL Pre Trade Application Form (171KB)

Summary:
Participants are required to attend with the GAGAL pre trade program two days per week while completing school three days per week. The participants are monitored, mentored and supported in their endeavours to gain an apprenticeship or traineeship. The pre trade program has proven over the past 5 years to be successful in assisting young people into the trade of their choosing.

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4. Girls Electric

GAGAL has identified that female students interested in undertaking trade qualifications wait until they complete Year 12 before doing so.  In most cases this is because they want to retain all school subjects and continue to be totally involved in school life, instead of commencing a school based apprenticeship.  With that in mind, GAGAL, in partnership with Central Queensland Institute of TAFE (CQIT) has designed a part time Electrical Pre Vocational course which will not interfere with the school timetable.  The aim of the course is for at least 50% of the participants to take up the option of a full time electrical apprenticeship at the end of their schooling.

All female students in Years 10 and 11 are eligible to enroll in this course.  GAGAL will cover the cost of TAFE fees and supply the uniforms required to participate in the program.  Interested students should complete an application form online.

The course will commence in March 2010 and will be conducted at CQIT’s Gladstone Campus every Wednesday and Thursday between 4-7pm.  Year 10 and 11 girls should have the capacity to complete the entire course prior to the end of year 12.  It is hoped that some year 10 girls may consider a school based electrical apprenticeship in year 11 and 12 after acquiring some skills and knowledge of the industry.

For further information please contact the GAGAL office on 07 4972 5988 or download the expression of interest form and apply today, places are limited.

Girls Electric Expression of Interest (72 KB)

For further information please contact the GAGAL office.

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