There are complex issues surrounding young mothers' engagement with education including, but not limited to, access to suitable childcare during study/class time, adequate housing, financial support, and time to engage in studies are just a few impediments single mother students encounter on the road to procuring education and training. As a career single mother from a migrant background, the Fellow knows firsthand how difficult it is to undertake any training due to the above barriers. The Fellow had to navigate the language barrier, lack of family support, understanding the new and complex e... Show more
There are complex issues surrounding young mothers' engagement with education including, but not limited to, access to suitable childcare during study/class time, adequate housing, financial support, and time to engage in studies are just a few impediments single mother students encounter on the road to procuring education and training. As a career single mother from a migrant background, the Fellow knows firsthand how difficult it is to undertake any training due to the above barriers. The Fellow had to navigate the language barrier, lack of family support, understanding the new and complex education system for both herself and her children. In addition, the lack of skills recognition; having studied and worked for a significant period of time in her country of origin, was both challenging and disheartening. The Fellow pursued her studies while raising children, forging different means of support that were not government dependent, as well as always aiming to be a role model for her children. This Fellowship took place in Germany for a period of 3 weeks. The Fellow visited government institutions, training organisations, employers and interviewed students as well as senior office holders and vocational education and training (VET) practitioners.
Learnings from the fellowship are as follows: (1) VET institutional leaders need to be equipped with skills and tools that are required for innovation and effective leadership to implement change in their institutions, localities, regions and nations; (2) Developing the transversal skills of learners ensures learners can transfer these skills to a wide variety of situations and work settings; (3) A simplified skill and qualification assessment process encourages learners to engage in the process; (4) The importance of solid partnerships between employers and the state and federal governments to ensure that a variety of skills training is available to learners; and (5) Employers must be well funded and equipped with the most current machinery and technology to ensure learners have access to current skills and remain competitive in the world market. This situation must be utilised more effectively in the Australian context.
Edited excerpts from publication.
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