Help on the way for teens on the outer

By Sarah Schwager
TWO new youth workers will help Greater Dandenong’s disengaged teenagers who are not in school or at work.
The youth transition workers were announced by the State Government last week for the area and will be allocated to Dandenong-based South Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN).
SELLEN acting chief executive Shannon Cheale said the network was pleased the youth workers had been allocated to the region.
“This role will directly support young people who are not in school and assist them to take on further training or employment,” Ms Cheale said.
At the moment students can leave school at the age of 15.
“Working in partnership with the other councils also means that they are able to be much more responsive,” she said.
The youth workers would identify young people not in education and share their time between the areas of Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia, each of them placed where they will be most effective.
Ms Cheale said the announcement was timely in terms of changes happening in education, including the new Education Training and Reform Bill.
The compulsory school age will rise from 15 to 16.
On 6 September, SELLEN is holding a day to inform people of the changes.
In the morning, SELLEN will hold a regional strategy meeting with local school representatives on ways to support schools regarding the changes, while the afternoon is an open invitation to anyone wishing to learn about the changes and participate in a showcase of local projects..