Northam PCYC transforming lives

Twelve months of hard-work has paid off for students at Northam PCYC, who have transitioned to further education, training and employment.

This year, 30 students participated in the Stepping Stones program, an alternative education program funded by the Department of Education for year 11 and 12 students that are classed at risk or disengaged from traditional schooling.

As well as improving basic numeracy and literacy, Stepping Stones equips students with life skills including obtaining tax file numbers, birth certificates, medicare cards, white cards, bank accounts, learner's permits and driver's licences.

The alternate learning program generated fantastic outcomes, with nine students obtaining their learner's permit, eight commencing further education with TAFE or Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s), one participant starting a university bridging course and three moving into employment.

Northam PCYC Manager, Jane Atterby congratulated the young people who participated in the program.

"We are extremely proud of all the students and their achievements," she said.

"It's heart-warming to see so many young people transition onto a positive life path, and even more so to watch them grow throughout the year into confident, capable young adults."

Stepping Stones aims to improve the lives and prospects for disengaged young people in the Wheatbelt, with support from Northam PCYC staff, the Department of Education Wheatbelt participation team, Western Australia Youth Policing Officers (YPO’s), the Rural Clinical School of WA, and WANSLEA.