A new pilot to help at-risk students stay in school gets underway in the western suburbs of Melbourne today.

Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas and Member for Tarneit, Telmo Languiller today announced the organisations that will run the Western Melbourne pilot.

Lead by Anglicare Victoria, the program will partner with Brotherhood of St Laurence. It will also work collaboratively with local schools and other support services.

The Navigator program will provide assistance to disengaged students in the western suburbs of Melbourne, helping them to re-engage with education and training through regular contact and ongoing support.

The Western Melbourne Navigator pilot program will cover the Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley and Melbourne local government areas.

The program will help meet the Education State target to halve the proportion of students leaving school early from years 9 to 12 over the next 10 years.

Navigator is part of a suite of Andrews Labor Government services aimed at helping more Victorian students stay engaged in education and training, including;

• The $7.9 million re-designed School Focused Youth Service, to help schools to engage 10-18 year olds at risk of leaving school,
• The $14 million Reconnect: Engagement and Learning Support Program, to support selected Registered Training Organisations to help disengaged 15-24 year olds move in to further education, training or employment,
• The $13.2 million Lookout Education Support Centres to help around 6000 vulnerable children and young people in out-of-home care achieve their potential in education and training.

Pilots are also being launched today in Mallee, Hume Moreland, Southern Melbourne, Bayside Peninsula, Ovens Murray, Goulburn and Central Highlands.

The Navigator pilots will be independently evaluated and will build on our understanding about how to re-engage young people. The evaluation will then inform future initiatives across the whole of Victoria.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas

 “We need to do everything we can to help young people re-engage with education and training. It’s the best thing for them – and it’s the best thing for our community too.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Tarneit, Telmo Languiller

“These are kids who have slipped through the cracks. Navigator will help give them the support they need so they can get the education they deserve.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Altona, Jill Hennessy  

 “Not only will this help local students, the Navigator pilot will help us identify the best way to keep students engaged at school – a lesson that can be shared across the entire state.”