CLARE TRADE SHED

Mr BROCK (Frome) (15:32): Today I will talk about the Trade Shed at Clare. I recently had the great privilege of opening the Trade Shed, which is an independent learning and training space at Clare. This facility, which is in partnership with the Clare Valley New Life Church, the Barossa Lower North Futures and the Clare council, aims to provide individual case management for young people to have opportunities to participate in project-based learning and to re-engage them in training, with the potential to further undertake accredited training to enhance their chances of employment within the regions.

Both accredited and non-accredited training includes: welding and fabrication, servicing of small engines, construction, wet trades, bricklaying, panel beating, spray painting, landscaping and automotive. Through project-based learning opportunities, this project links young people with local business and industry to enable them to participate in hands-on learning in a real-life work environment whilst at the same time developing independent living skills.

It is important to ensure that young people in the more remote parts of our region, and in many cases the most disadvantaged, have access to this training opportunity. Young people are transported from the town where they live in a people mover that was specifically purchased for this project. All young people are case managed and barriers are identified and addressed to successfully engage them in this community project-based learning opportunity supported by their local community.

Working alongside industry specialists, these young people are involved in project-based learning through this community project, which in addition will provide a focus on engagement and wellbeing, with the aim to ultimately enrol these young people into accredited training delivered by TAFE SA Regional and other RTOs. This is a whole-of-community response to support from an early age young people who are disengaged from education or are highly likely to disengage, to develop skills, including life skills, and to engage in a project-based learning opportunity and ultimately return to school, further training and employment.

Through this holistic approach to engaging this at-risk cohort of young people in training through case management and individualised flexible learning transition plans, they will: increase their self-esteem; become work ready with key employability skills; develop a pride in and sense of belonging to their community; acquire independent living skills; and become contributing members of the community.

Through the Office for Youth this organisation was successful in receiving funding for this project through the Youth Connect Grants, which have funded training and project materials to deliver this hands-on learning. Through the Community Benefit SA grant they have also been able to purchase a vehicle hoist, screens to screen off a classroom in this training shed, flooring to create a classroom, and some form of heating to make this learning space a more friendly environment that will be conducive to learning.

Some of the equipment has been donated by local business and farmers, which allows the students to learn on the appropriate equipment. Too often we endeavour to teach our youth with theories only, and I am pleased that this organisation teaches both the theory and the practice. The whole Clare community is behind this project and it was very evident at the opening that this facility will certainly give the youth of Clare and surrounding locations every opportunity to be able to achieve employment, which is the reason that we are all involved in our communities. I congratulate the Clare Valley New Life Church, Lower North Futures, the Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council and the whole community for this great initiative.