Youth Transition Support Initiative
The Youth Transition Support Initiative assists disengaged young people aged 15 to 19 to obtain a sustainable education, training or employment option.
Twenty-four transition support workers are employed by funded organisations across twelve Local Learning and Employment Network areas within Victoria. These areas were selected based on rates of Year 12 or equivalent completion and numbers of young people who are not in education, training or full time employment.
Transition support workers provide disengaged young people with tailored assistance to access support services and to re-engage in sustainable education, training or employment options. The Youth Transition Support Initiative began on 29 January 2007.
See: Youth Transition Support Initiative Fact Sheet (includes provider contact details) (PDF - 94Kb)
Youth Transition Support Initiative 2008 Program Guidelines
The Youth Transition Support Initiative 2008 Program Guidelines detail the program eligibility, service model, operational framework and scope of the Initiative.
The Youth Transition Support Initiative Program Guidelines are reviewed annually. The 2008 Program Guidelines were informed by the outcomes of the Youth Transition Support Initiative Formative Evaluation, conducted during 2007.
The Formative Evaluation of the Youth Transition Support Initiative
In 2007, the Department commissioned a Formative Evaluation of the first year of operation of the Youth Transition Support Initiative from the Australian Youth Research Centre at the University of Melbourne, to obtain information on the operations, challenges and successes of the program in its first year.
Research findings are based on interviews with the 12 program sites, including program managers from the auspicing organisations, Transition Support Workers and program participants. Interviews were also conducted with Local Learning and Employment Network personnel, other relevant agencies from the education, health and youth sectors. A parent’s perspective was also included. The interviews focused on set up of the programs, programs models, the role of Transition Support Workers, their perceptions of partnerships, connections and relationships with other organisations, and comments from employers, young people and their parents/carers.
The evaluators believe that the program meets a targeted need, and recognises the potential for intensification and expansion of the program into areas of need not currently serviced by the program.
11 recommendations to improve program operations were made in the Report.
- Youth Transition Support Initiative Formative Evaluation (PDF - 744Kb)
- DEECD response to Youth Transition Support Initiative Formative Evaluation recommendations (PDF - 22Kb)
Youth Transition Support Initiative Reporting System
The Youth Transition Support Initiative online reporting system is a tool for Youth Transition Support Initiative providers. Access to this system will require a user name and password.