Beacon takes a whole of community approach, with the program designed to give young people a better understanding of the world of work in three ways:
- It links industry into schools in a supportive way by providing talks at the schools and getting kids to their premises
- Via student and teacher mentoring
- Providing young people with support in confidently representing and presenting themselves in the world of work
Beacon works with young people before they leave school to help develop the skills and confidence needed to achieve personal success for themselves and their community. Beacon’s strength is the wide range of industry links they have forged between parents, schools, industry and the community that provide students with mentor role models, work experience and opportunities for employment.
The current unemployment rate for persons aged 15-19 years is 23.9%, more than four times higher than the national unemployment rate.*
These young people are leaving and not transitioning into either “earning or learning”. Many young people who finish school leave without any real purpose or idea about their future career path.
No Dole also addresses the pressing issue of skills shortages by allowing direct access to schools and young people to showcase careers and job opportunities. Participating businesses enjoy many benefits including retention of employees and access to a job-ready workforce of graduating students who have been through the program. Community morale is improved by fostering a sense of joint responsibility for the future of young people and No Dole offers teachers professional development to keep informed about latest developments in careers education. Parents are better informed to help support their children.
No Dole is delivered by 107 schools across Australia, supported by a state and national Beacon team.
*Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey - July 2009