Index
Industry and community engagement
A research challenge? A consultant’s expert opinion? A placement for a keen and talented student?
The RMIT Youth Work program offers all these services and more. See below for examples of RMIT Youth Work’s engagement and collaboration with the industry and community services sector.
On this page:
- Program Advisory Committee
- Fit to Drive - In the driver’s seat
- Present to youth work students
- Are you looking for volunteer, relieving or casual staff to work with young people?
- Submissions
- In the media
Program Advisory Committee
The Program Advisory Committee (PAC) is made up of representatives from the youth sector and meets at least twice a year. Through participation in this Committee, youth workers input into the shape and content of our programs. It also provides a forum for sharing knowledge with academic staff about industry and current academic research.
In this way, programs offered by the Youth Work team are constantly updated and structured to meet the changing needs of the work environment and the expectations of the sector. Our industry partners recognise RMIT graduates as work-ready. Many ex-graduates also sit on the PAC.
If you would like to join the PAC please contact Mic Emslie.
Fit to Drive - In the driver’s seat
RMIT youth work, social work and education students are the cornerstone of Fit to Drive, a state-wide education program for young drivers initially developed by RMIT, VicRoads and secondary schools in the Mornington Peninsula.
Since its inception in 2001, more than 50,000 secondary school students have participated in the program, which has been implemented by more than 150 secondary schools.
Working alongside officers from organisations such as the Metropolitan Fire, Emergency Services Board and the Country Fire Authority, local government, road safety and police, RMIT students facilitate workshops for Year 11 students that explore and challenge their attitudes toward risky driving.
The program’s developer, RMIT youth work coordinator Kerry Montero, said, ‘Fit to Drive is a great example of youth work practice in the school setting. It is about working in partnership with young people to promote their interests and enhance their well being.’
Present to youth work students
Do you think you have something valuable to share with youth work students?
Youth work practitioners are invited to present to youth work students in almost every course of the program.
If you would like to talk with youth work students about your agency and practice, and share your wisdom and experience in working with young people please contact Mic Emslie.
Are you looking for volunteer, relieving or casual staff to work with young people?
There are over 150 students studying youth work at RMIT University. Many are eager to get experience in the youth sector.
Your organisations volunteer, project work, field education, relieving and causal work opportunities could be what a youth work student is looking for.
Youth work educators at RMIT University will promote the positions you have available to students.
If you have opening available for youth work students please email a short blurb with contact and application details to Mic Emslie.
Submissions
Staff of the Youth Work program regularly make contributions to government inquiries and policy development. Here is a selection of submissions:
- Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry 2011 (PDF 180KB)
- YACVic Victorian Sector Code of Ethical Practice 2007 (PDF 11p 69kb)
In the media
The youth work program features in the media. Here is an example of articles and commentary:
- Honour commitment to low-paid workers, 24 March 2011, The Age (PDF 1p 15kb)
- Crown can do no wrong, 12 February 2011, The Age (PDF 1p 17kb)
- Protect the public, 2 February 2011, The Age (PDF 1p 17kb)
- Soul searching is needed on child detention, 25 January 2011, The Age (PDF 2p 24kb)
- High Court decision blight on reputation, 21 January 2011, The Age (PDF 1p 18kb)