Wellington youth will soon have the chance to take the "Leap to Learning" with an innovative educational program from Western College being rolled out in the new year.
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Aimed at giving young people an alternative pathway to achieving further education, training or employment, Leap2Learning will begin in early 2015 and focusses on students' strengths by offering essential skills development including literacy, numeracy, IT and social skills.
Leap2Learning is a stand-alone program but, importantly, can facilitate a return to or continuation of secondary schooling by tailoring learning to the individual needs of those young people who may feel disengaged from the mainstream system.
Western College Design and Innovation manager Erifili Davis said the program came at "just the right time" for Wellington.
"Western College has been involved with the Wellington learning community meetings since their inception, and there's always been a need for educational options in the town - there hasn't been much in the way of alternatives for young people who might be struggling for whatever reason," she said.
Ms Davis said the local PCYC had come on board to assist with Leap2Learning and Western College staff will be running the program out of the PCYC premises.
"As part of the Leap2Learning program, we will be offering different vocational options as well. Depending on the interests and the needs of the young people, we can help them develop their skills in those areas," she said.
Free Leap2Learning Open Days will be held on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 22, 10am at the PCYC premises in Wellington.
Well regarded youth educator Kate Davis, who has extensive experience with helping young people develop their skills, will be instrumental in implementing Leap2Learning, which will lead to a Certificate of Achievement and offer a pathway for the completion of Year 10.
Western College has a long and proud history of supporting young people who have disengaged with mainstream schooling to pursue a range of options for continuing their education. The extension of these programs to include Wellington's young people continues that tradition.
CEO Valerieanne Byrnes said the Western College team is excited at the prospect of continuing to offer practical and relevant choices to young people who might otherwise "fall through the mainstream educational cracks".
"We're very proud of our success at making a difference in the lives of young people here at Western College, and we're delighted that we're now able to extend those options to the youth of Wellington.
"Two introductory "open days" will be held next month and we encourage parents and students to come along and learn more about the educational alternatives that are on offer."
FREE Leap2Learning Open Days will be held on Wednesday, January 14 and Thursday, January 22, 10am at the PCYC premises in Wellington.
