Description
The perceptions of students, school and TAFE staff involved in V Tracks, an early intervention program for Aboriginal school students are explored in this paper. The study identifies outcomes, challenges and recommendations for future program design. Overall, V Tracks was found to improve student engagement in school and provide greater insights into the available education, training and employment pathways for students. NCVER's Building Researcher Capacity program funded this paper, which is based on research undertaken by a novice researcher in the Community of Practice scholarship program.Summary
About the research
Building the research capacity of the vocational education and training (VET) sector is a key concern for the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). To assist with this objective, NCVER supports a Community of Practice scholarship program, whereby VET practitioners without any research experience are given the opportunity to undertake their own work-based research project.
Regan Harding participated in the 2008 Community of Practice. Regan is a Youth Project Officer at North Coast TAFE and is involved in North Coast Aboriginal Learning Partnerships. Her research investigates the perceptions of students and school and technical and further education (TAFE) staff involved in the V Tracks program.
V Tracks is a program for Year 8 to Year 10 Aboriginal school students, the aim of the program being to increase the visibility and availability of VET. The program provides opportunities for students to explore different vocational areas and identify pathways into further education and employment. It emphasises cross-cultural orientation and the involvement of education and community networks. New South Wales’s North Coast TAFE and North Coast Aboriginal Learning Partnerships implemented this program in 2008.
The study comprised a survey of students and focus group interviews with students and school and TAFE staff, and was intended to guide strategies to increase the retention and engagement of young Aboriginal learners in education, training or employment.
Key messages
- V Tracks is seen very positively by students, and school and TAFE staff.
- The challenges seen by study participants revolve around funding and resource issues. Participants see a need for more Aboriginal Education Workers, role models, cultural activities, assistance with transport, and curriculum and pastoral support.
- The author points to the need to sustain longer-term strategies and to move programs such as V Tracks to the mainstream.
Tom Karmel
Managing Director, NCVER