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Kids hitting the books
Most young Australians enrolled in education and training.
Recent figures show that more than 80 per cent of young Australians were enrolled in some form of education or training at the end of 2016.
Commissioned by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research( NCVER), the Young People in Education and Training
2016 report compiled information from the Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.
Broken down, the report shows that of the 1.5 million Australians aged 15 – 19 years, 57.1 per cent were enrolled in school, 16.2 per cent were enrolled in higher education, 5.5 per cent were enrolled in vocational education and 4.4 per cent were undertaking
apprenticeships or traineeships. Of those students in high school, 14.3 per cent were participating in the VET In Schools Program.
NCVER national manager of statistics and analytics Dr Mette Creaser said the report provided valuable data on how students were engaging with education opportunities.
“ As with 2015, over half of school leavers were engaged in education and training at age 19,” Creaser said.
“ University is still the preferred pathway, followed by vocational education and training.”
The number of apprentices and trainees in this age group increased by 2.1 per cent in 2016. Of those enrolled in education and training, 53 per cent were male and 46 per cent female.
Statistics also showed the number of students enrolled in higher education institutions increased by 2.6 per cent from the previous year, and the number studying part-time rose by 6 per cent. ■
Board chosen to certify principals
PAI picks esteemed education leaders to oversee certification of principals.
Principals Australia Institute has filled the seats of its Principal Certification Advisory Board which will monitor the implementation of principal certifications.
Members joining the board include Rob Nairn, Michael Battenally, Anne Ford, Chris Presland and Robyn Thorpe, under the leadership of chair Susan Pascoe.
Also on the board will be Fiona Nielsen and Dr Jim Watterston, who bring regulatory experience to the role.
PAI chief executive Paul Geyer said the introduction of a voluntary professional certification system for school principals was a world first.
“ PAI is delighted to have such an esteemed board oversee principal certification; we have a cross-section of both school leaders and non-school leaders who are focused on recognising and lifting the status and quality of principals in this country,” Geyer said.
“ Through the certification process, individuals will submit evidence of their practice and the associated analysis for assessment against published criteria which are mapped to the Australian Principal Standard.
“ We have had many more registrations and enquiries as we gear up for our next intake of principals to undertake certification.
“ This is a step in the right direction for the profession which we believe will lift the status of the profession in the community.”
This year, eight principals have achieved recognition as Australia’ s first Certified Practicing Principals( CPP).
A second cohort of certification candidates was inducted recently, with a third scheduled for May. ■
4 | educationreview. com. au