TRAC was a pioneering program of vocational learning for school students in Years 11 and 12 centred around structured and assessed work placements. It was designed and developed by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum to bridge the almost complete disconnect, at the time, between the skills students acquired through school and the skills they would need to enter the labour market.
By every measure – and there were careful evaluations both by the Forum and by external researchers – TRAC more than achieved its aims. It demonstrated, on a national scale, that upper secondary schools can and should prepare students for work in ways that are rigorous and accredited.
This report by Jane Figgis purpose is to search TRAC’s development, implementation, and eventual devolution for lessons that might be learned – underlying principles that might exist – which could usefully be applied to other of the Forum’s ventures and ambitions.
The Anaiwan language was one of the first to be suppressed by European colonisation – but this once-dormant language is being reclaimed by the Armidale Aboriginal community.
The Festival of Connection provides the opportunity to connect and share experiences, build a strong collective voice for systemic reform and better outcomes for children and communities.
Local knowledge and stories create positive change in Burnie
The whiteboard in Kylie Burgess’ office tells a story about the power of community. It’s covered in notes and ideas about turning local knowledge and lived experience into positive change for the community of Burnie in Tasmania’s north-west.
Dusseldorp Forum acknowledges the First Peoples of Australia and the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which we work and live. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past, present and future.
