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Education to employment scheme
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education to Employment Scheme aims to increase training and employment opportunities for Indigenous youth in Queensland by encouraging them to complete Year 12 and then progress to tertiary education and/or employment in their chosen vocation.
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, including youth in care, undertaking Year 9 (in the year they apply) at a Queensland State or Independent School (or the equivalent at TAFE) are eligible to apply for a scholarship under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education to Employment Scheme.
The Scheme is a collaborative venture between the Departments of Main Roads, Primary Industries, Public Works, Emergency Services, Natural Resources and Mines, Justice and Attorney General, Queensland Transport, Queensland Health and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Scheme provides Indigenous students with the opportunity of financial assistance and practical support in their schooling and encourages selected students to progress to further studies and/or to employment. In return for their commitment to participate fully in the program, the selected students receive:
- financial support up to a maximum of $1200 for Years 10 and 11 and $2600 for Year 12
- a mentor from a government agency to "buddy" the student throughout the scholarship
- the opportunity to undertake work experience in a government agency.
The Department of Main Roads first implemented the program in 1999 and that year awarded 3 scholarships. Since then the scheme has grown and in 2003 there are 9 government agencies and a total of 44 scholarships awarded.
There have been almost 100 scholarships awarded under this scheme since 1999 and the students are selected from all over Queensland including Mt Isa and Winton in the West, Birdsville, Cunnamulla, Roma, St George and Dirranbandi in the South West, Thursday and Badu Islands and Bamaga in the Far north down to Cairns, Yarrabah, Mareeba, Herberton, Kuranda, Townsville, Palm Island, Ingham, Bowen onto Mackay, Moura, Baralaba, Rockhampton and Biloela in Central and around the North and South Coasts and Brisbane.
Around July/August each year, an intense promotional campaign is conducted across Queensland schools. Indigenous students who want to apply must address specific criteria and if short-listed, be available for an interview. The standard of applications has been very high and Government agencies select from students that make it through the rigorous process.
