Education and Training Minister Lynne Kosky launched the Youth Options Guarantee for the Grampians Region in Ballarat on 27 July 2006.

Two years in the making, the Youth Options Guarantee is an initiative of the Grampians Education Partnership and will result in a seamless referral and support service to help young people at risk of disconnecting from education and training.

“Local Learning and Employment Networks will lead the project, building on their excellent relationships with local employers, schools and other training bodies to ensure that there is a coordinated system of support for students.” Ms Kosky said.

Speaking at the launch about how the initiative would operate in the Central Grampians LLEN Region, Network CEO, David Wheaton said the project was founded on the ideal that young people were the shared responsibility of the whole community.

“By signing up to the Youth Options Guarantee our partners are agreeing to provide an extended duty of care to ensure each young person in the region is supported to achieve Year 12 or an equivalent qualification,” Mr Wheaton said.

Ms Kosky congratulated the Partnership for working tirelessly to ensure the education and training system is responsive to the needs of local students.

“The Bracks Government is very proud to support the project as part of its broader goals to increase the participation and achievement of regional and rural students in education and training.” Ms Kosky said.