The Beacon Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation involved in over 120 school communities nationally.
First established in Tasmania in 1993, Beacon now works in all States and Territories to help alleviate youth unemployment and influence the culture and attitude of all Australians, so that young people can develop the will to achieve success for themselves and their communities.
A key component of the Beacon programme?s success is assistance from local business, industry and community, and more broadly corporate Australia, to provide opportunity, experience and mentoring for young students from upwards of year 10 level. This has enabled Beacon to assist over 55,000 young Australians. The latest national statistics show that:
? In 2009, only 19 per cent of young Australians were not earning or learning, whereas only one per cent of Beacon students were not earning or learning.
? In 2009, the average percentage of Beacon students who transitioned to year 11 from year 10 was higher than the national average (95 per cent to 88 per cent).
? The national average for unemployed youth (15 to 19 year olds, March 2010) was 22.4 per cent. Of those Beacon students who left year 10, only 12 per cent were unemployed.
Beacon encourages schools to take part in well constructed events and programmes, including the popular Polish work ready programme. Polish teaches old-fashioned skills designed to give students the edge in the world of work, such as entering a room, looking people in the eye and shaking hands. It also covers confidence, public speaking, deportment and grooming, interview techniques and dining etiquette.
The construction and engineering industries have been long time supporters of Beacon, and therefore can engage with schools and tap directly into the youth market. This is more significant than ever with existing and imminent skills shortages in key industries.
To learn more about the Beacon Foundation, visit www.beaconfoundation.net
Source: The Beacon Foundation