Networks-Partnerships
Future Connect's work is built around partnerships with key organisations and individuals in the community across the business, education and training, government and non-government agency sectors.
These sectors are represented on our Board so our strategic direction is informed by the experience and knowledge that comes from each of these sectors.
Future Connect has been successful in working with agencies, schools and community groups in identifying gaps that inhibit young people from achieving success. Strategic partnerships are then able to be developed with the services and schools to specifically support the young person in need.
This has been the core work of Future Connect (previously known as BMLLEN) since its inception in 2002 and it continues to be the only community organisation working for the benefit of young people taking this role in the community.
EXAMPLES OF FUTURE CONNECT PARTNERSHIPS
Learning Disability Network Workshop
In 2019 Future Connect in partnership with Microsoft Australia ran a professional development workshop for teacher aides and teachers who work with students that have specific learning needs. The workshop was conducted at the Microsoft Training Facility at Southbank on October 22.
The Microsoft trainer introduced the participants to software tools such as Immersive Reader & Speak Aloud that are freely available to Victorian schools in Windows 10 and Office 365. The workshop was fully subscribed with 25 participants from government and catholic education schools within the Brimbank/Melton area attending.
The participants rated the workshop activity very high requesting a follow up workshop in 2020 to debrief on how people have used the strategies in the classroom with their students. Microsoft have again agreed to partner with Future Connect to facilitate this request. The 2020 Learning Disability Network Workshop date will be advised in due course.
Brimbank/Melton Careers Practitioner's Network
Future Connect lead, through our Project Officer Robin Lockington, administrate and provide clerical support for the network. The network meets quarterly in Caroline Springs and its ultimate goal is to increase retention and transition outcomes by enhancing career practitioner and MIPS staff professional development and networking capacity. Representatives from the following secondary schools and education providers regularly attend meetings.
In 2020 the Careers Practitioner's Network has been meeting via on-line meetings and allows Careers Practitioners to network with others in their field.
| Network School Members | |
|---|---|
| Brookside P-9 College | CaLM School |
| Caroline Chisholm Catholic College | CRC Caroline Springs |
| CRC North Keilor | CRC Sydenham |
| Creekside P-9 College | Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services |
| Gilson College | Harvester Technical College |
| Hester Hornbrook Academy | Jackson School |
| Keilor Downs College | Kurunjang Secondary School |
| Lakeview Senior College | Marian College |
| Melton Christian College | Melton Secondary College |
| Melton Specialist School | Springside P-9 College |
| St Albans Secondary College | Staughton College |
| Sunshine College | Taylors Lakes Secondary College |
| Victoria University Secondary College |
VET Cluster Support for Brimbank and Melton
Future Connect aim to increase VET options available to young people in Brimbank and Melton and increase access and participation. There has been historic and ongoing support for both LGA VET Cluster Networks with an emphasis from Future Connect on student access, cost, VET provision, administrative self-sufficiency and facilities provision.
School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeships (SBAT's)
Using the Future Connect Careers and Pathways Network as a base to develop understanding and promote SBAT's as a pathway for young people. Future Connect has taken the initiative and provided lead on this project whose purpose was to promote Australian School Based Apprenticeships (ASBA's) to schools using group trainers, Registered Training Organisations (RTO's) and Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) to provide a forum related to access to ASBA's and compliance issues.