AEC "P" PLATE PROGRAM

The AEC "P" Plate Program is designed to provide training and support to young Indigenous Australians, primarily in years 10, 11 and 12, creating clear pathways into employment as soon as schooling and training is completed.
 

This program will link-in with other worthwhile organisations and programs that are currently working within the secondary schooling system to ensure that students leaving school have the life skills necessary to be successful in the workplace, and more specifically, fill employment opportunities created through the AEC. Clear pathways to employment will be provided to ensure that those leaving school are provided with strong opportunity to join the workforce.
 

Supplementing this program will be the drive to create a new long-term vision for all school-leaving students where ‘Welfare is not an Option’. This program will be ongoing and engage students from as early as primary school, ensuring that each and every child is prepared to make the correct choices once they reach the crucial decision-making time at the end of their education and/or training.
 

In short, the AEC "P" Plate Program will provide:


  • Guaranteed employment for Year 10, 11 and 12 students who satisfactorily meet the requirements as outlined by the school and AEC in regards to completion of school and either work experience (year 10) or via structured work place learning opportunities, school traineeships, etc. (Schools will be initially selected in locations where AEC jobs are situated.);

  • Ongoing professional development for school personnel involved in the program;

  • Connections between educational staff and companies that have the potential to provide assistance in regards to work experience or structured work place learning placements; and

  • Connections to community and educational support agencies that will provide additional benefit to current indigenous programs run at the school.


The AEC "P" Plate Program will involve a four-way commitment between Indigenous students, employers, schools and educational and community support organisations.
 

Outlined below are the requirements of employers, schools and educational and community support organisations involved in the AEC "P" Plate Program.


EMPLOYERS

Employers involved in the AEC "P" Plate Program must provide:


  • Jobs through AEC covenants that guarantee graduating Indigenous students the opportunity for full time employment; and

  • School based learning placements that allow students to experience the job first hand.


SCHOOLS

Most schools currently have vocational education programs in place for year 10, 11 and 12 that include work experience and structured workplace learning. As part of their involvement in the AEC "P" Plate program, all schools must:

 

  • Maintain or introduce retention strategies for Indigenous youth;

  • Have a population of Indigenous students (a minimum percentage is to be set);

  • Appoint a School Ambassador (Mentor) to provide support to Indigenous students targeted as part of the AEC “P” Plate program. They will also be the point of contact for the National or State Manager for the program. This individual does not need to be a teacher and may be any staff member that has a passion for the role and is willing to provide the relevant support to students participating in the program;

  • Select the appropriate students to participate in the program; and

  • Sign a covenant with the AEC (parent/guardian counter signs).

 

EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT ORGANSIATIONS

Educational and community support organisations seeking to be involved in the AEC "P" Plate program will ideally be nationally-based or at least demonstrate capabilities to service state commitments. Other requirements include:

  • A proven ability to deliver programs either utilising internal resources or through providing funding;

  • The ability to provide services which are transferrable across both primary and secondary schools or, alternatively, the ability to develop partnerships with other community organisations that can cater for education sectors that your organisation cannot; and

  • The potential to create employment opportunities within your own organisation (desirable but not essential).


In regards to specific programs run by educational and community support organisations, each program must:

  • Demonstrate a track record of retaining indigenous youth;

  • Provide an ongoing benefit to schools; and

  • Introduce or reinforce skills that will assist in developing the appropriate life skills required to succeed in the workforce e.g. communication skills, teamwork, punctuality, etc.