Introducing Area Taskforces

Three Guaranteeing Futures Area Taskforces have been established in Tasmania; one in each region.

In April 2008, the Area Taskforces changed their name to Youth Transitions Taskforce.

The regional organisations hosting the Youth Transitions Taskforces are:

Each Youth Transitions Taskforce has worked with their local stakeholders to develop and implement a regional strategic plan for their young people aged 15 to 24 years.

The Area Taskforce initiative provides a framework for regional stakeholders to work together to support post-Year 10 education, training and employment pathways for young people. Key stakeholders include: parents, young people, community organisations, schools, colleges, business and industry, the Institute of TAFE Tasmania, private VET providers, the University of Tasmania, labour market agencies, youth service providers, local government and other government agencies.

Youth Transitions Taskforce consultation and planning provide local strategic directions for collaborative projects to help young people to meet their post-Year 10 destination goals.

The three Youth Transitions Taskforces have also set up a state-wide network.

Inaugural meeting of state-wide network of Area Taskforces, Ross 12 June 2007.

(L to R) Geoff Speers (Project Manager, Cradle Coast Area Taskforce), Kim Boyer (Chair, Southern Area Taskforce), Elizabeth Daly (Chair, Northern Area Taskforce), Gerry White (Project Manager, Southern Area Taskforce), Lynne Ferencz (Chair, Cradle Coast Area Taskforce), Danny Gibson (Project Manager Northern Area Taskforce)

The introduction of legislation requiring participation beyond year 10 from 2008 will require the flexibility, through the provision of a wide range of education and training pathways, to meet the learning needs of all young people. Each Youth Transitions Taskforce will play a key role in identifying issues arising from the legislative change and in shaping community-based strategies to address them.

The establishment of Youth Transitions Taskforces is being supported through the:

• provision of data from the Guaranteeing Futures Environmental Scan Project, a detailed data collection and analysis project to better inform strategic planning
• provision of funding for Youth Transitions Taskforces for three years from 2006
• Employment of a senior project officer to provide liaison.

Further information

For more information about the current work of the Youth Transitions Taskforces, please go to http://www.areataskforcetas.com/