Adopt a School Program

at the Capital Region LCP

The ‘Adopt-A-School’ Program has been developed to help connect employers with students.

The aim of the program is to provide an active link between employers, students, teachers and the broader school environment through activities that will increase knowledge and opportunity for careers and further education.

Essentially the Adopt-A-School Program seeks to develop effective partnerships between schools and local businesses in order to maximise opportunities for young people and to generate links for employers to their future workforce.

Queanbeyan Metals & Engineering student on work placement with Trevor Marshall at CNM Steelworks

Adopt-A-School also focuses on meeting future skills needs by encouraging learning in new and emerging industry sectors and those with current or predicted skills shortages. It helps participants to develop positive attitudes about local businesses, and aims to dispel negative and outdated perceptions.

A typical Adopt-A-School project is set within a particular industry sector and runs to a project plan. It gives participating students hands-on learning under the guidance of an industry mentor and produces a defined finished product. When the project is completed, a student awards evening or community-based event is often held to celebrate the project and the cooperation of all involved.

Matthew Nash & Josh Graham students from Karabar High School are meeting the “Codarra Robotic Challenge” through an Adopt-A-School project.
In December the robotic Cars will complete the course set by Codarra Advanced Systems who have provided cars, tutoring and prize money.
 

Adopt-A-School projects can be based in business or industry, in the community or in schools. They include activities such as:
• building a product
• planning an event
• tours, site visits and excursions
• speakers and demonstrations
• student research and enterprise projects
• mentoring by industry specialists and local businesses
• projects with industry specific hands-on learning
• competitions and games.

One such project has been developed in Goulburn between UEA Engineering and Mulwaree High School.

Mulwaree High Teacher Mr Bill Dorman Identified an Adopt-A-School project that would help his students take their sculptures to the next step and learn about career pathways in the metals industry at the same time. UEA Engineering has agreed to provide a mentor to assist students to make the bearings in the UEA workshop. A student will spend 2 hours a week at the workshop assisting a tradesman who will make the bearing. Students will be rotated through the workshop until all of them have a bearing they can use on their sculpture. While working in the workshop students are also required to do a research project on career pathways in the metals industry. The sculptures will be exhibited and sold at the end of the year. The project will be documented and used to promote UEA’s involvement.

If you choose to take on an Adopt A School project not only are you assisting students to make career choices that might provide staff for your business in the future but you also have your business name publicised to approximately 1200 families through articles in the school newsletters.

If you are interested in learning more about Adopt A School Projects Please contact the Capital Region LCP.

Benefits of the Adopt-A-School program to your business.

• Opportunity to educate teachers and students about career opportunities in your industry.
• Generate interest in young people for potential school based opportunities to contribute to long-term succession planning in your business.
• Raise awareness of skills essential for employment and the requirements of your business & industry.
• Provide school students with practical career information & expose them to the workplace through hands on learning experiences.
• Provide schools with the opportunity to learn about the business sector today.
• Promote your industry as an attractive career choice to schools & parents.
• Promote possible career pathways within your industry to young people.