Recognition for macedon school industry partnership

Local businesses across Victoria that are giving students vital on-the-job experience have been honoured by the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today celebrated The Social Foundry, who are providing valuable workplace education for students through programs such as Head Start, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, Structured Workplace Learning and work experience opportunities.

The Social Foundry has played a powerful role supporting young people to undertake work placements in a COVID-Safe environment. Their commitment to disadvantaged and vulnerable youth through their social enterprise cafe is a great example to others.

The importance of school and industry partnerships were recognised at the Championing Victorian Industry within Schools event, which honoured businesses and their outstanding achievements in supporting students in 2020.

The event aims to strengthen relationships between schools and industry to provide further opportunities for students across Victoria.

Industry provides an essential and valued contribution to applied learning outcomes for students across VCE, VCAL and VET programs and this event highlights how integral these industry relationships are.

Schools and school partners nominated businesses and employers who supported students and school-based programs in 2020.

The Victorian Government is investing in creating the education and training pathways for students to get the skills they need for the jobs they want.

This includes a current investment of $49.8 million to deliver Head Start Apprentices and Traineeships – a program that supports students to complete their VCE or VCAL over three years alongside paid on-the-job training that leads to a qualification.

The government is also investing $38.1 million to transform vocational and applied learning in senior secondary schooling, which includes the development of a new single integrated senior secondary certificate, following a review by former Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority CEO John Firth.

These reforms include a focus on strengthening partnerships between schools and industry, to give every student a high quality and meaningful experience that benefits both students and industry and contributes to Victoria’s economic recovery roadmap.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"We’re delighted to have an opportunity to thank local businesses, including The Social Foundry, and highlight their achievements in supporting students."

"The support of businesses like The Social Foundry in providing hands-on experience and training for Victorian students has never been more important and we thank and celebrate those employers that support school programs"

Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
"We are investing in the future of all Victorians through a wide range of vocational programs which are connecting industry with the workforce of tomorrow."