EDUCATE ME
EDUCATE ME
Applications open for 150 apprentice scholarships
Applications are open for the 2023 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships program .
Apprentices facing financial or personal hardship will be supported to undertake their trade and study through a $ 2.25 million NSW Government scholarship program .
Applications are now open until 21 July for the 2023 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships program that will support 150 people with $ 15,000 each to complete their training and further their career .
The scholarships support apprentices who are experiencing financial or personal hardship , demonstrate a high aptitude for vocational education and training , and are committed to their on and off the job training in metropolitan and regional NSW .
The scholarship program is named in honour of the late Bert Evans AO , a passionate advocate of vocational education for more than 30 years . A total of 751 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships have been awarded since 2014 .
These scholarships greatly assist first year apprentices to undertake their trade and study to achieve their career goals .
The NSW Government run program offers grants of $ 5,000 annually over three years to help people overcome personal barriers to finish their apprenticeships and go onto rewarding careers .
The scholarships are awarded to apprentices in NSW who have demonstrated :
• financial hardship and / or personal hardship
• capability for vocational education and training , and
• a positive attitude and application in the workplace and in off-the-job training
Tim Crakanthorp is Minister for Skills , TAFE and Tertiary Education .
“ With demand for vocational education high , this year we have increased the number of Bert Evans scholarships on offer to help more apprentices through their training ,” Crakanthorp said .
“ Whether you need to purchase new tools , cover fuel or car maintenance costs , or pay for additional training courses , these scholarships have helped people overcome personal barriers to finish their apprenticeships and go onto rewarding careers .
“ Apprenticeships are vital in ensuring NSW has a pipeline of skilled workers , and we want to give our apprentices a helping hand to complete their training , so they can make a strong contribution in their jobs and in the lives of their families and communities .”
Phone 13 28 11 for more information and to apply .
Addressing falling attendance numbers
The Every Day Matters campaign will help bring the number of students in classrooms back to pre-COVID levels .
The NSW Government is launching a new school attendance campaign called Every Day Matters to help bring the number of students in classrooms back to pre-COVID levels .
Preliminary student attendance data for NSW public schools shows improvements to attendance rates for Term 1 this year but the figures remain below target levels .
NSW public schools have a target of a 95 per cent attendance rate .
In 2022 , the average attendance rate in NSW public schools was 85.7 per cent , a decrease from 2019 where the average attendance rate was 90.2 per cent .
Currently , NSW schools are below that target . For example , in Term 1 , this year the overall attendance rate was 89.4 per cent .
The Every Day Matters campaign reinforces the importance of attending school for students ’ academic success .
Missing just one day of school each fortnight adds up to four weeks of lost learning a year . Over a student ’ s school life , this equates to an entire year of missed learning .
The campaign aims to drive behavioural change among parents and students to :
• reduce absenteeism close to weekends and / or public holidays ;
• reduce family trips during term ;
• reduce arbitrary days off due to convenience or pressure from students .
The new campaign will run until 21 July across social media , TV streaming services and radio – including platforms for regional , culturally and linguistically diverse and Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander audiences .
The campaign will be supported by school leaders using data-driven analysis and strategies to lift student attendance , with a daily attendance dashboard to identify reasons and trends for student absences .
Schools across the state are implementing innovative , focused strategies to boost attendance , including reminders of the importance of regularly attending school and rewarding students who improve attendance .
Families can help students reach their attendance goals by ensuring they attend school every day unless they are unwell , booking holidays during breaks and reaching out for support from schools , if required .
For further information on attendance , visit education . nsw . gov . au / parents-and-carers / going-to-school / every-day-matters .
Premier for New South Wales , Chris Minns said , “ The best thing we can do for the next generation of kids is provide a good education .”
“ It ’ s our job to ensure we get kids back into classrooms where they belong , learning and reaching their full potential .” THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 96 // JUNE 2023 21