A revamped and enhanced skate park and recreational area at YWCA Mura Lanyon Youth and Community Centre was officially opened today, part of a program aimed at young people disengaged or at risk of disengaging from school.

ACT Minister for Children and Young People Joy Burch said the idea for the revamp came after discussions in 2007 between the ACT Department of Education and Training, the Youth Coalition of the ACT and staff at the Youth and Community Centre about ways to re-engage the young people who attended the Centre with their learning.

“Discussions with the young people identified the enhancement of the area around the skate park as an area of need,” Ms Burch said.

“The young people consulted with the local community and developed plans and drawings for the area to make it more engaging and user friendly, including a barbecue and seating area.”

After collaboration with a range of industry groups such as the Construction Industry Training Council, Construction Industry Training and Employment Association and the Australian Brick and Blocklaying Training Foundation (ABBTF), the program started in June 2010.

“The young people had a chance to play an active role in the revamp and get a taste of what it is like to work in bricklaying or associated industries and were awarded with three units of competency from the Building and Construction training package.”

The students also undertook training in Occupational Health and Safety and received the national occupational health and safety induction card (the White Card) prior to commencing the program. Three of the young people involved were offered apprenticeships in bricklaying by the ABBTF.

“Programs such as this show the importance of industry working with young people to re-engage them in learning and to open their eyes to vocational education and training opportunities.”

Ms Burch said the ACT Government was committed to ensuring all young people were engaged in education, training or work until the age of 17, so no student is left behind.

“The ACT Government’s ‘learn or earn’ plan is part of a national drive to ensure Australians have the skills they need for good careers and to keep the economy strong.”