Improving post-school outcomes for rural school leavers

In this article, the authors assess the impact of increasing vocational education and training (VET) options within high school upon the post-school study and employment outcomes of rural school leavers. It is based on research carried out in Tasmania of Year 10 school leavers and their parents. Findings indicate that parents and students see this as a positive move in opening up training and job-related options and improved outcomes for rural youth in the future. The authors also discuss the tensions between the academic pressures of the teachers and schools towards academically...  [+] Show more

In this article, the authors assess the impact of increasing vocational education and training (VET) options within high school upon the post-school study and employment outcomes of rural school leavers. It is based on research carried out in Tasmania of Year 10 school leavers and their parents. Findings indicate that parents and students see this as a positive move in opening up training and job-related options and improved outcomes for rural youth in the future. The authors also discuss the tensions between the academic pressures of the teachers and schools towards academically oriented Year 11 and 12 study on the one hand and the desire of students and families to get a steady job and a regular pay packet on the other.