Adopt a School Program
Through the Adopt a School Program, businesses are encouraged to adopt a school and give young people hands-on learning experiences in specific industry sectors.
Adopt a School's objective is to get businesses involved in school-based learning, and students involved in work-based learning. It builds strong and ongoing partnerships between businesses and schools, which benefit all those involved.
Through the program, students gain real experience, learn about career opportunities and find out about the kinds of skills employers are looking for. Local businesses gain experience in working with today’s young people and have a hand in shaping their future workforce.
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 It helps participants to develop positive attitudes about local businesses, and aims to dispel negative and outdated perceptions.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.
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.
A good Adopt a School project takes into consideration the needs of young people at all levels of academic achievement, Indigenous young people, young people with a disability, and those young people at risk of not completing school or making a successful transition from school to further education, training or employment.
