About Beacon No Dole

• How the program works
• Growth
• Outcomes of the No Dole Program
• Direct Benefits of the Program
• Running the No Dole Program
• Key people

The activities linked with the No Dole program ensure students are fully informed and prepared for life outside the school gates.

• Charter Signing – This is a major component of the program where Grade 10s voluntarily make a pledge that by March of the next year they will be in further education, employment or training.
• Industry Tours – Students undertake a hands-on tour of a site to learn more about the industry and careers available within it.
• Classroom Industry Sessions – Businesses visit the classroom to share their knowledge with students.
• Sponsorship Showcases – A variety of businesses and Beacon sponsors present to careers teachers about their industry.
• Mock Interviews – Students face a mock interview panel to practise their job interview skills.
• Work Placements and Experience – Students spend time in a business to gain an insight into the industry or business.
• Business Events – A breakfast or lunch event to foster the relationship between businesses and schools.
• Choices Workshops – A whole range of businesses present to students about their industry and careers at one event.
• Careers Leaders – A select group of students are elected to a Careers Leaders Committee.  They are involved in organising and planning their No Dole events.
• Mentoring – Students and teachers have the opportunity to be mentored by different business leaders in the community.

Growth
The No Dole program has been so successful in reducing the number of students leaving school and going straight onto welfare, that it's now spread around the country.  There are now almost 100 schools in all Australia states and territories running the program.

Outcomes of the No Dole Program
The retention of students participating in the No Dole program is tracked 6 months after the Grade 10s leave school in order to evaluate the program’s success.  Currently 97.4% of No Dole students end up on a positive pathway to further education, employment and training.

Direct benefits of the Program

To the students:

• Increased confidence about life pathway.
• Better informed about job opportunities and development of a more focused career plan.
• Increased awareness of the world of work.
• Increased support from local businesses and community.
• Provides real links with employers.
• Learn job-readiness skills, including resume writing, interviews and job applications.
• Develop better social skills through interaction with businesses.
• Improved personal presentation and communication skills.

To the schools:

• Increased links between the education and business worlds.
• Increased community support for local schools.
• More refined school careers curriculum.
• Helps schools support “at risk” students with alternative programs.
• Provides schools with more resources for their students.
• More engaged students.

To the community and business:

• Highly motivated and engaged young people.
• Decrease in delinquent behaviour.
• Increased community cohesion, with young people more likely to get involved with community events.
• Decrease in welfare dependence in young people.
• Businesses have direct access to students to entice them into their industry, helping to tackle skills shortages.
• Businesses have increased community profile through their support of local school.
• Business employees have an opportunity to work with young people directly through Beacon programs, e.g. mentoring, site visits, work experience.

Running the No Dole Program
The Beacon Foundation provides support and resources to schools running the No Dole program. A major resource is this website, which has a password protected section containing tools, templates and best practice information for No Dole schools.

Key people
The school Principal is crucial to the success of the program in establishing the right relationships with business and community. The principal is also the key to ensuring there is a supportive culture within the school where due value is placed on the program.

The No Dole Coordinator plans and organises No Dole activities throughout the year. This person ensures classroom activities compliment No Dole activities and oversees participation by students. They are also responsible for monitoring students once they have left school to ensure they stay on track to achieve their goals.

The Education/Industry Liaison Officer plays a vital role in forming relationships with local business and community, which become a valuable resource for No Dole program activities like Work Placements and Industry Workshops. They also provide support for students and direction in their pathway planning.

The Education/Industry Support Officer provides administrative support to the Education/Industry Liaison Officer and is occupied by a person at teacher assistant level.

To become a No Dole School, contact us on 03 6234 4155.