2020 has been a challenging time for our Year 12 students with periods of uncertainty which may have impacted on their plans beyond school.
COVID-19 presented many challenges and disruptions to education, which was hard hit at the end of Term 1.
Despite this, the Northern Territory was proud to be the first jurisdiction in Australia to return to face-to-face learning in Term 2 thanks to Australian leading COVID safety measures implemented early by the Territory Labor Government.
The Territory Government is investing in young Territorians to support them to get SET for their future in Budget 2020.
The Get SET in the NT program is delivering increased opportunities to study in the Territory, learn in the Territory, and train in the Territory via:
- 100 12-month traineeship places in the public service for Territory school-leavers;
- 10 scholarships to top-performing students, comprising free tuition for the first year of their chosen degree, and free on-campus accommodation, if required at CDU; and
- Government led support for industry groups to engage with Territory school-leavers, so they can see all the training and job opportunities that are on offer here at home.
The program is informed off the back of survey results from Northern Territories 2,500 strong cohort of young people finishing school and secondary education in 2020. All of which were invited to provide feedback and insight into their thoughts on leaving school in the COVID-era.
Overall, the NT education budget in increasing by $34.4 million to $1.176 billion.
There is $93.5 million also allocated towards education infrastructure projects including:
- $11.4 million for Zuccoli Primary School stage 2;
- $4.7 milling for the Building for Inclusion Program for upgrades to learning and teaching amenities to support students with additional needs; and
- $3.9 million for Casuarina Senior College library refurbishment.
As stated by Minister for Education, Lauren Moss:
"Our school leavers are about to step into a world more uncertain than we could have imagined – Get Set in the NT is a first of its kind program in the NT that supports our leavers to take the next step here at home.
"We've gathered the feedback of our leavers; that feedback is why the Get SET in the NT program is in this year's budget.
"We're listening to the needs of our future leaders, we're helping them see and assisting to facilitate the opportunity to study in the Territory, earn in the Territory, and train in the Territory".
As stated by CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks:
"Charles Darwin University is proud to offer new scholarships at CDU for the top ten 2020 Northern Territory ATAR students as part of the Get SET in the NT program.
"Providing local study pathways and opportunities for Year 12s leaving school is incredibly important for students so they can set themselves up for the future.
"These exciting new opportunities will add to a range of existing scholarships and programs available at CDU for young Territorians."
As stated by NT Farmers CEO, Paul Burke:
"2020 has been a really difficult year for all no more so than our school leavers.
The GAP year initiative is an excellent program that will allow so many school leavers to have a GAP year here in the Territory and learn so much about industries and sectors they may not have considered.
NT Farmers are excited to be involved in the program and look forward to welcoming participants to the interesting and growing agriculture sector. Great initiative and very timely, well done."
Media release: Hannah West 0436 641 108
