from YAPRap September 2006
by Kristy Delaney, YAPA Executive Officer
For the first time the NSW Government has developed a single document which outlines its goals, plans and benchmarks. The State Plan will identify around 30 key priorities for the next ten years and will be used to help set goals for the state budget.
A draft plan has been released for consultation and the NSW Government has been holding community consultations across NSW to gain feedback and ideas.
On August 25 YAPA attended the Stakeholder Forum in Sydney with other peak organizations and Directors-General of departments such as Community Services, Education and Training, and Transport.
YAPA is currently developing a comprehensive written submission which will be available on the YAPA website.
Our main recommendations are summarised below.
Employment
- Increase employment opportunities for vulnerable people, including young workers, those in rural areas and Aboriginal young people.
Education
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Assist young people to get the skills they need to gain meaningful employment and have rewarding lives.
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Ensure alternatives to the Higher School Certificate for young people. Alternatives should include increased vocational education at school and opportunities to combine part time apprenticeships with school study
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Support young people to remain in education by providing increased support to young people who are early school leavers or who are at risk of leaving school early. Also focus on providing additional support to address the causes of truancy and suspensions.
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Help school students with high needs to get the support they need to reach their full potential, via the establishment of partnerships and protocols between schools and youth services.
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Ensure the affordability of TAFE fees so that young people can gain the education and training they need to gain jobs in industries with high skill shortages.
Transport
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Ensure affordability of public transport to assist young people to seek and remain in employment and education. Transport concessions must be targeted to young people on low incomes includes young apprentices and trainees, young people on junior wages, young job seekers and students.
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Expand community transport and regional transport coordinator positions in rural NSW to provide transport options for young people.
Housing
- Increase support for homeless persons, including a much needed expansion of public housing options.
Support services
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Increase focus on early intervention and prevention services.
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Support organisational capacity building and workforce development for the non-government community sector.
Government services
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Improve training for government service providers (such as RailCorp) on appropriate ways of responding to young people and culturally diverse communities.
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Increase information for customers of government services about their rights and responsibilities.
More information
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Iemma's list: how to save NSW: Government 10-year state plan focuses on bolstering skills training, raising educational standards and improving the delivery of health-care and other social services. smh.com.au 15/11/06
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Social justice - up front: NCOSS welcomes State Plan ncoss.org.au 14/11/06
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State plan fails to deliver on housing and homelessness ncoss.org.au 14/11/06
