asked the Minister for Education if she will give a comparison of the curriculum content of the Youthreach programme and the vocational preparation and training programme operated in schools already.
Written Answers. - Youthreach Programme.
122.
The Youthreach programme and the vocational preparation and training programmes are broadly similar in content and structure, but differ significantly in the target group, and in the methodology of delivery.
Both programmes are geared to providing participants with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to make the transition to work and adult life successfully. As such, both programmes have elements in common — basic skills training, work experience and general education, especially basic numeracy, literacy and communications skills.
Youthreach is a two year programme aimed at those in the 15-18 year age group who leave the school system with no qualifications at all, who are alienated from the education-formal training system for a variety of social and economic reasons and who have failed to gain any foothold in the labour market. These young people are deemed to be priority group 1 for the purpose of the social guarantee. The programme consists of a foundation year to help overcome learning difficulties, develop self-confidence and a range of competences essential for further learning, and a progression year which will provide for more specific development through a range of education, training and work experience options. The programme is a joint Department of Education-Labour initiative and is provided in centres operated by the vocational education committees and FÁS.
The vocational preparation and training programme (VPT) operates at three levels: VPT-1, a one year programme for young people who would otherwise leave school after the junior cycle, who want to enter the labour market but recognise the need for basic vocational training; the leaving certificate vocational programme which provides a two year leaving certificate course giving each participant a grounding in a specific technological area — construction, engineering and technical drawing — a modern language and work experience-simulation in the chosen employment area; and VPT-2, a one year vocational training programme aimed at young people who have completed senior cycle but have been unable to obtain employment, and those who have completed a VPT-1 course.
The vocational preparation and training programme operates for the most part in second level schools, vocational, community, comprehensive and secondary schools. Experience has shown that the target group for the Youthreach programme cannot generally be catered for in the context of traditional training or school premises, and where possible attractive premises outside these institutions are used.
Counselling, career guidance and assessment leading to certification are features common to both programmes, as is a flexibility of approach to course content which allows individual centres to cater for the specific needs of each group, within the broad course structure.