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On Wednesday, a group of 15 year 10 students embarked on a unique online mentoring program, aimed at empowering students to make informed choices on their futures.
iTrack, a program of The Smith Family, allows young people to get online career and training advice from representatives of big corporations.
The program was developed more than a decade ago in response to research which revealed young people from disadvantaged backgrounds were more likely to disengage from education and drop out of school during their teenage years.
For an hour each week over two school terms, students communicate with their mentors via a secure, online monitored chatroom from their own school desk. The mentors are business professional from all over Australia who help the students to identify their strengths, and consider possible avenues to further education and future employment.
The school’s assistant principal, Josh Ebbels, said the program was aimed at establishing the next generation of leaders.
“The students in this program are committed to their learning and show great promise for the future,” Mr Ebbels said.
“This is an avenue where they can explore possibilities for their future and get expert advice on which paths to go down, which assists them in their subject selection.”
The school has been running the program since 2006.
The Smith Family’s head of policy and programs, Wendy Field, said the program offered students extra support to boost their motivation.
“Many disadvantaged young people lack access to positive role models and mentors who can support their expectations, build aspirations for the future and learn how to reach their career goals,” Ms Field said.
“This is where iTrack has been proven to make a difference. It provides a means for young people to better understand the links between study and future career paths.”
Ms Field said the anonymity of the student and mentor pairing meant students felt at ease sharing their hopes, problems and ambitions.
Statistics from last year’s iTrack program across Victoria revealed that a resounding majority of students who completed the program voiced a desire to try harder at school. Figures also found 81 per cent were inspired to go on to further study, while 87 per cent said they understood more about how to reach their career goals.
melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au