Investing in the future

How would you like your child to get a well-paid job and be healthy and happy in their adult lives?

Most parents, of course, would say YES and that's why the school leaving age in NSW is rising to 17, because research shows that kids who stay at school longer have better future prospects.

Studies here and overseas have found that teenagers who leave school early are two and a half times more likely to be unemployed, earn lower wages and have poorer health.

And every year in Australia around 50,000 young people aged from 15 to 19 drop out of education and training and are unemployed.

There was a time - and not that long ago, too - when a teenager could finish school at 15 and walk straight into a job or start a trade.

But the times have changed.

Technology has changed the nature of work and 21st century teenagers now compete for jobs and study opportunities in a globalised environment, against other young people in other countries.

But the more things change, the more opportunities open up. A better education, more training and work experience means more choices for life after school.

When the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom raised their school leaving age by one year, they found that young people earned 10% to 14% more, they got better jobs and their health improved.

It's against this backdrop that the NSW Government passed laws this year to raise the school leaving age from 15 to 17.

From January 2010, this means that all students in the state have to finish Year 10 and then continue in education and training, be in full-time work, or a combination of education/ training and employment until the age of 17.

For those students who finish Year 10 but don't want to go on to the HSC, there are plenty of options. They can do an apprenticeship or traineeship (while still at school), study a trade or get skilled up at TAFE, or work full-time if they are 15 or older.

"These are exciting and challenging times in education," says Michael Coutts-Trotter, Director-General of the NSW Department of Education and Training, which operates 2,200 public schools in the state.

"The research is very clear that young people who leave education early are more likely to be unemployed, unhappy and unwell."

NSW public school principals and teachers are ready to take up the challenge. Innovation in the classroom, a wide choice of subjects, flexible timetables, targeted careers advice, mentoring students and forming partnerships with their parents are all vitally important pieces in the education jigsaw.

Students will need support to choose their pathway. School principals and careers advisers will be important resources for parents as they help their children plot their next steps.

And, most importantly, the education and training provided must be relevant, meaningful and useful to the needs of 15- to 17-year-olds.

"We must work to keep all students engaged through schooling so that continuing their learning is a natural part of their plans for the future," says Mr Coutts-Trotter.

From 2010, all NSW students must complete Year 10

After Year 10 - and until they turn 17 - students must be: 

1. in school, or registered for home schooling, or
2. in approved education or training (eg TAFE, traineeship, apprenticeship) or
3. in full-time, paid employment (average 25 hours/week) or
4. in a combination of work, education and/or training