What’s it Really Like…
Developed as the final phase of the Workforce Development Project, WIRL supports young people to experience workplaces early, at Year 9, before they select their senior school study areas that lead to their vocational and academic careers
WIRL delivers industry experience workshops and Certificate II / III learning as part of the Year 9 curriculum, connecting young people to local businesses that enable them to develop practical work skills and meaningful mentor relationships in a ‘real’ work environment. WIRL provides place-based solutions for rural and regional workforce needs in the health, community services, agriculture, horticulture, and food & fibre manufacturing sectors.
The WIRL webiste can be found here.
The Workforce Development Project
The Workforce Development Project (and WIRL) grew out of a model trialled and developed by Mansfield Secondary College from 2009-2015. A Regional Development Victoria Regional Skills Fund grant introduced the model into 19 schools across seven local government areas in the Ovens Murray Region of NE Victoria. The projected was delivered from 2018-2022 as a partnership between NE TRACKS and NELLEN.
The project aimed to strengthen pathways for young people into training and employment in two industries in the Ovens Murray region—Agriculture/Horticulture, and Health Care and Social Assistance.
Partners in the project, NE Tracks Local Learning and Employment Network and NELLEN delivered the Workforce Development Project from July 2018 through to June 2022.
The success of the project centred on a strategic collaborative model the focused on string links between schools, TAFEs, universities and industry as well as the community.
The project engaged participating students in applied/practical learning whilst contributing units towards VCAL and VCE completion including ATAR, with the aim to improve engagement and retention rates, and provide opportunities for Social and Emotional Learning, Industry and Enterprise Skills.
