The second Evaluation Report into the National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions (YAT) program has found progress had been made across Australia following the $706 million commitment made by the Australian Government.

 

The report – the second of three commissioned under the program – showed the program was on track to reach the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) target of 90 per cent Year 12 or equivalent qualifications by 2015, and halving the gap in Indigenous Year 12 or equivalent by 2020.

 

The report shows:

  • an increase in the proportion of 15-19 year olds participating in full-time education and training from 69.5% in 2009 to 73.4% in 2012 which is expected to result in increased rates of Year 12 or equivalent attainment in the years to come;
  • Participation rates for Indigenous 15-19 year olds increasing at twice the rate of the non-Indigenous population;
  • Participation in Certificate II and III courses has risen between 2008 and 2010 – highlighting a move toward higher level qualifications.

 

Major elements of the$706 million, four-year  program include funding for connections between youth providers including:

  • Youth Connections program;
  • School Business Community Partnership Brokers program;
  • Maximise engagement, attainment and successful transitions through career development, multiple learning pathways, and mentoring;
  • National career development initiatives;
  • The Compact with Young Australians; and
  • Reward funding to states and territories for meeting participation and attainment targets.

 

The final evaluation report on the National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions is scheduled for September 2013.

 

The Interim Evaluation of the National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions report, as well as further information on the National Partnership, is available at: http://deewr.gov.au/national-partnership-youth-attainment-and-transitions