Gateway Local Learning and Employment Network
YAT Service Region: 2
Version: 2012
Table of Contents
1ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN – PART A
1.1Overview of the Gateway LLEN Region
1.1.1The Gateway LLEN region
1.1.2The City of Whitehorse
1.1.3The City of Manningham
1.1.4The City of Monash
1.2Demographic Overview
1.2.1Refugees
1.2.2Special needs students
1.2.3Indigenous
1.2.4Disadvantaged Young People
2Education and Training Provider Profile
2.1Education Providers in the Gateway LLEN Region
2.2Alternative Education Providers
2.3Post Compulsory Enrolments – Gateway LLEN region
2.4VETiS Provision
2.5VCAL Enrolments
2.6Gateway LLEN Needs Analysis (Education Options)
2.7Primary to Secondary Transition
3Business and Industry Profile
3.1City of Whitehorse
3.1.1Employment by Industry by age in the City of Whitehorse:
3.1.2Future Industry Growth
3.1.3Declining Areas
3.2Manningham
3.2.1Employment by Industry by age in the City of Manningham
3.2.2Future Industry Growth:
3.2.3Declining Areas:
3.3Monash
3.3.1Skill Shortage Areas:
3.3.2Employment by Industry by age in the City of Monash
3.3.3Future Industry Growth (Monash)
3.3.4Declining Areas:
3.4Career Advice and Industry Relations
3.5Gateway LLEN Needs Analysis (Business and Industry)
4Parent and Family Profile
4.1Key Parent and Family Groups
4.2Gateway LLEN Parent Consultation
4.3Issues impacting Parents and Families
5Community Group Profile
5.1Existing Program Profile
5.2Existing Partnership Profile
6ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN – PART B
6.1Challenges and Opportunities in Gateway LLEN
6.1.1Education and Training
6.1.2Business and Industry
6.1.3Parent and Family Groups
6.1.4Community Groups
7ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN – PART C
7.1SOURCES
1ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN – PART A
1.1Overview of the Gateway LLEN Region
1.1.1The Gateway LLEN region
The Gateway LLEN region covers three Local Government Areas: City of Whitehorse; City of Manningham; and City of Monash.The Gateway LLEN region, of Manningham, Monash and Whitehorse local government areas, is generally viewed as a relatively affluent and a region of growing knowledge intensity in terms of resident skills and business development. The Monash precinct is an important knowledge hub for education, industry and employment. The focus of education in the region has been directed towards academic achievement and while the aspiration of parents has been for their children to join the ranks of professionals in highly skilled and knowledge intensive, globally connected employment[1].
Map - Metropolitan Melbourne
I
1.1.2The City of Whitehorse
The City of Whitehorse is located just 15 kilometers east of Melbourne and covers an area of 64 square kilometers. The municipality is bounded by the City of Manningham to the north, the Cities of Maroondah and Knox to the east, the City of Monash to the south and the City of Boroondara to the west. Whitehorse’s suburbs include Blackburn, Blackburn North, Blackburn South, Box Hill, Box Hill North, Box Hill South, Burwood, Burwood East, Forest Hill, Mitcham, Mont Albert, Mont Albert North, Nunawading, Surrey Hills, Vermont and Vermont South.The City of Whitehorse has one of the busiest suburban transport hubs and boasts one of the largest concentrations of quality suburban office space outside the central business district. It is home to over 8000 businesses, large and small. Whitehorse has a population of approximately 151,000 residents with almost one-third born overseas. The 2006 Census data shows that more than 110 different languages are spoken by residents of the City.
In the Australian Bureau of Statistics report Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) the City of Whitehorse ranks low (number 9 of 79 LGA’s) on the Index of Relative Socio- Economic Disadvantage.[2] The City of Whitehorse also ranks third highest at 88.2% of the State population claiming a Year 12 or equivalent qualification. Health Care and Social Assistance (8,056 persons or 11.8%) and Retail Trade Retail Trade (7,708 persons or 11.3%) are top two employment sectorswithin the City of Whitehorse.
The Gateway Cost of Exclusion report in 2009 showed that the highest proportion of young people not engaged in education and or training were located in Nunawading.
1.1.3The City of Manningham
The City of Manningham is located in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs, about 12 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD. The City of Manningham is bounded by the Yarra River, Banyule City and Nillumbik Shire in the north, Yarra Ranges Shire in the east, Koonung Creek, Maroondah City and the Cities of Whitehorse and Boroondara in the south and Banyule City and the Yarra River in the west.The City of Manningham includes the suburbs of Bulleen, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Donvale, Nunawading (part), Park Orchards, Ringwood North (part), Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Warrandyte, Warrandyte South and Wonga Park.
Manningham is an interesting mix of both semi urban and urban areas. Manningham has the lowest population density of three Gateway LLEN LGA’s. The population is predicted to increase slightly in the next three to five years, mainly due to the new housing development area – Doncaster Hill.
In the Australian Bureau of Statistics report Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) the City of Manninghamranks (number 5 of 79 LGA’s) on the Index of Relative Socio- Economic Disadvantage,[3] making it the least disadvantaged LGA in the Gateway LLEN region, and one of the top five advantaged LGA’s across Victoria.
Manningham has an estimatedpopulation of 115,847 and is made up of a diverse community, with 34% of its residents born overseas from places including China, Italy and Greece.[4]In Manningham there is limited youth support apart from some limited school support and counselling services facilitated through the YMCA, with emphasis currently on recreation and health events.
1.1.4The City of Monash
The City of Monash is one of Melbourne's most populous municipalities, with around 176,000residents. It is located 20km south east of the CBD in Melbourne's fastest growing population corridor. Monash is a cosmopolitan city with 39.7% of its residents coming from more than 30 countries. The City has a highly skilled and well-educated workforce, with 13% having a degree or higher education. Its residents also enjoy a level of home ownership that is considerably higher than the Melbourne average.Monash has some of Melbourne's best known landmarks within its 82 square kilometers, including the Monash Medical Centre, the Victoria Police Academy and Jells Park.
The City is also home to Melbourne's most substantial innovation cluster, with notable features including Monash University's Science Technology Research and Innovation Precinct and Technology Park and the Australian Synchrotron. Monash has also developed a reputation as a 'high tech' centre for industry with the headquarters of a number of major companies based in the area, including Robert Bosch, NEC, BMW, Telstra, Biota, Mercedes Benz, Nestle and Toyota.[5]
There are 11,501 young people aged 10-19 in the City of Monash accounting for 7.2% of the population. 40% of its residents come from more than 30 countries. The City has a highly skilled and well-educated workforce, with 13% having a degree or higher education.
Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage
2006 ABS Data
Local
Government Area Code / Local Government
Area_Name / SEIFA 2006
Population / Disadvantage
62 / Melbourne (C) / 57808 / 1037.639196
63 / Knox (C) / 141677 / 1041.05321
64 / Alpine (S) / 17806 / 1041.998887
65 / Yarriambiack (S) / 7758 / 1044.028329
66 / Maroondah (C) / 96461 / 1052.991907
67 / Monash (C) / 156898 / 1053.097746
68 / Macedon Ranges (S) / 35667 / 1057.517501
69 / Banyule (C) / 112882 / 1057.899524
70 / Surf Coast (S) / 19629 / 1064.867607
71 / Whitehorse (C) / 140751 / 1067.719826
72 / Port Phillip (C) / 77541 / 1078.692208
73 / Glen Eira (C) / 116970 / 1083.206216
74 / Queenscliffe (B) / 3078 / 1083.790145
75 / Manningham (C) / 107920 / 1086.603958
76 / Nillumbik (S) / 58161 / 1107.644257
77 / Bayside (C) / 83737 / 1107.771819
78 / Stonnington (C) / 87412 / 1107.965757
79 / Boroondara (C) / 150233 / 1122.186073
1.2Demographic Overview
The approximate population of young people aged 10 – 19 within the Gateway LLEN region is 53356[6]1.2.1Refugees
A refugee is a person who (according to the formal definition in article 1A of this Convention) "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country”[7][According to DEECD data The City of Monash and suburb within (Waverley) have the highest proportion of recorded refugee students within the Gateway LLEN region. The City of Monash is becoming even more culturally diverse, with 39.7% of residents born overseas with people arriving from mainly Afghanistan, Pacific Islands and South Sudan. In addition, the southern half of the city (Oakleigh and Clayton) is particularly accessible for migrant and refugee young people who live in Dandenong and Noble Park, due mainly to the direct train link between those suburbs.
Refugee young people often require extra assistance with schooling and homework, as their education may have previously been disrupted or non-existent. Schools within the Gateway LLEN region often express concern for refugee students, as there is a large amount of pressure placed on the young refugees to take up part time or full time employment. This is largely due to family commitments, having high debt or requiring more money so that other family members are able to migrate.
1.2.2Special needs students
Special needs students can be defined as students with an identified Intellectual or Physical Disability, but also young people who may have a diagnosed or “hidden” Learning Disability. Special needs students are now participating broadly in a range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and VCAL options that are enhancing the students’ senior years of schooling, although the transition from the school environment to a VET environment full time, is currently not supported by the mainstream curriculum.Across the Gateway LLEN region there are five special development schools catering for young people with an identified disability. Additionally Holmesglen offers a suite of programs aimed at young people with a disability including a Certificate I in Transition Education, Certificate I in work education, and a foundation VCAL program.
Gateway LLEN, in consultation with the Eastern National Disability Coordination Officer Program (NDCO), and the LD Network in Victoria and schools, have identified two main issues:
- more information on the breadth and range of available post school options for young people with a disability and their care givers is limited.
- Learning Disabilities are often not recognised, often labelled as ‘hidden disability” and cost for a private psychological assessment to determine the Learning Disability must be provided by the individual, no government funding is available. Parents of young people with Learning Disabilities often feel isolated, along with their child.
1.2.3Indigenous
The indigenous cohort of residents in Whitehorse and Manningham is minimal. The 2006 ABS data indicates that the total number of Indigenous people in Manningham is a minimal 126, and the City of Whitehorse has a similar record with only a slightly higher recording of 228. Young people between the ages of 10 -19 make up only 0.2% of the above figures. The 2006 ABS data further indicates that the total number of Indigenous people in Monash is 333, which makes up 0.2% of the population in Monash. The Monash City Council has developed the City of Monash Indigenous Action Plan 2007-2011, designed to assist the council to strengthen the engagement and relationships with the local indigenous community.1.2.4Disadvantaged Young People
According to the 2009 Gateway LLEN Cost of Exclusion Report, although Whitehorse, Manningham and Monash have ranked highly in terms of socio economic advantage, there is resounding evidence to suggest that there are pockets of disadvantaged young people, at risk of disengaging from secondary school. As young people who are disengaged are often not recognised in wealthier areas they are prone to slip through the networks. With funding being restricted in this region, much of the contact with disengaged young people has been through the outreach work of the local councils who have had little or no funding for case management work.One significant disadvantage for young people in Manningham is that cars are the main form of transport for the Manningham community – 66% drive to work and 5% are passengers. Only 2.8% use the train (accessed via car or bus) and 5.6% the bus. There are no train or tram services in the region. This is particularly difficult in the outer areas of the city such as Warrandyte where the bus is irregular and does not run at night.
In Whitehorse, Box Hill is a significant transport hubwith trains, trams and buses widely available over the whole region. There are two train lines in Monash leading to the city and to outer suburbs. Buses run from key railway stations and to MonashUniversity. There are no trams in Monash. Frequently young people are required to travel outside the Monash area to receive specific support services or are reliant on extremely limited outreach opportunities to have their needs met. Access across the whole of the Gateway region is restricted to bus services only.
The Gateway region has a Neighborhood Renewal area located in Monash. Neighborhood Renewal is a commitment by the State Government to narrow the gap between disadvantaged communities and the rest of the State. It is an approach that brings together the resources and ideas of residents, governments, businesses and community groups to tackle disadvantage in areas with concentrations of public housing. Neighborhood Renewal aims to create vibrant places where people want to live. The neighborhood renewal initiative concluded in 2011. The initiative continues to function at the local Monash level with many of the projects and resources continuing to enhance the community.
2Education and Training ProviderProfile
2.1Education Providers in the Gateway LLEN Region
City of Whitehorse10 secondary schools: 5 government: 2 catholic: 3 independent
1 English Language School,
3 special development schools
35 primary schools: 20 government: 15 independent and catholic
1 vocational institute (TAFE)
1 University
*Students in Whitehorse also have easy transport access to Swinburne University (and TAFE), RMIT University (and TAFE) and Melbourne University.
City of Manningham
9 secondary schools: 8 government: 1 independent
23 primary schools: 16 government: 7 independent and catholic
1 special development school
1 VCAL community provider
City of Monash
16 secondary schools: 8 government: 8 independent: catholic
25 primary schools: 11 government: 14 independent and catholic
2 special development schools
1 vocational institute (TAFE)
1 University
1 VCAL community provider
2.2Alternative Education Providers
Alternative Education pathways within Gateway include Berengarra School with campuses in Box Hill North, and Ashwood also the Pines Learning Centre in Doncaster East.Additionally both Vocational Institutes Box Hill Institute (Whitehorse) and Holmesglen – Chadstone Campus (Monash) offer foundation, intermediate and Senior VCAL programs, as well as Work Education Certificates, Transition Education Certificates and a variety of VCE subjects.
The four organisations offer alternative pathways to young people who may not fit a mainstream education environment.
Berengarra is an independent co-educational secondary school, assisting students experiencing problems in mainstream school. Berengarra is a non-profit school, established in 1976 to provide innovative educational programs for young people with social and emotional problems. These programs aim to develop greater resilience and self-esteem by strengthening basic learning skills and self-understanding in an alternative school setting with small class sizes,
The Pines Learning Centre is “a community based not-for-profit learning organisation which aims to work with and be accessible to people in the local community, regardless of background, age or gender”. The Pines Learning Centre offers community VCAL to students who do not have the capacity to remain in a school setting.
2.3Post Compulsory Enrolments – Gateway LLEN region
The Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR) has the highest year 12 or equivalent attainment rate across Victoria. 2009 DEECD data shows the EMR region at 87.2% attainment a slight decrease from 2008 which was 93.5%, a total decrease of 6.3%.
Although the slight decrease from 2008, the EMR 2009total is still higher than the Metropolitan Melbourne total of 82.2% and the Victoria total of 79.8.
The Gateway LLEN Local Government Areas show an increase in attainment in one out of three LGA’s. Monash in 2008 showed an attainment rate of 91.4% compared to an increase in 2009 of 94.7%, an increase of 3.3%. Monash and Manningham showed a decrease with Manningham in 2008 showing 96.6% compared to 2009 showing 91.7% a decrease of 4.9%. Whitehorse in 2008 showed an attainment of 93% compared to 2009 showing 88.3% a decrease of 4.7%.
Overall, the Gateway region attainment has decreased by 6.3%. The decrease in attainment for the region does not correlate to the enrolment data which shows an increase in the number of young people undertaking VCE, VCAL and VETiS.
This may be due to the relatively low staff allocation time given to VET and VCAL coordination across the region. Career education tends to start in year nine; however the majority of activity at this level is in relation to work experience. Many schools do not provide internal Vocational Pathways, instead encouraging students to seek alternative options outside their school, if their pathway is directed towards more of a vocational path.
2.4Gateway LLEN Needs Analysis (Access and Options)
In early 2012, a needs analysis survey conducted with Gateway LLEN stakeholders including community providers, CoM members, schools and parents made the following comments in response to the question “do you believe that all education and training options are adequately accessible for young people in the Gateway region?”- The Gateway LLEN is working towards make sure that all young people have a wide range of educational and training options available to them
- Need for more options for the young people who are year 9 - 10 to prepare them for VCAL/TAFE options.
- It can be hard for YP to access fee for service alternative education options.
- Focussed support and special consideration is, at best sporadic. Teachers often lack the necessary skills to provide required support and understanding.
- Gateway provides many different options for young people.