Lines can be attributed to Malcolm Wells, Deputy Secretary, Further Education and Training, Department of Education

Improving Year 12 or equivalent attainment in both metropolitan and rural Tasmania is a priority for the Department of Education.

Strategies being implemented include:

• A continued focus on retention and Year 12 completion supported by the tracking of Year 10 students through to Year 12 or equivalent.
• In 2011 18 schools in ‘regional’ locations provided programs for Year 11 and 12 students.  Supporting and where appropriate extending Year 11 and 12 provision in these communities is a priority for further work involving schools, colleges and the Tasmanian Polytechnic in 2012.
• By the middle of 2012 Trade Training Centres operating in seven communities:
• Georgetown, Scottsdale, St Helens/St Marys, Smithton, Huonville and Bridgewater.
• Further Centres will be built at Triabunna/Sorell and Deloraine.
• They will provide VET programs for students enrolled in Years 11 and 12 and pre-employment VET programs (from Certificate I to III) for young people and adults who are preparing to undertake apprenticeship employment.
• Working in partnership with the University of Tasmania to strengthen pathways to higher education and to promote the value of tertiary education.

2010 data points to improvements in the percentage of students being awarded the Tasmanian Certificate of Education and in our apparent retention rates yet there is much to be done.

The long term agenda includes building a strong community expectation about the importance of further education and training for all Tasmanians.