The PACTS (Parents as Career Transitions Supports) Program has being specifically designed to help provide parents with up-to-date information about educational pathways, that enables them to support their children effectively when they’re making career transition decisions within the secondary school system and beyond.

The PACTS program has being successfully delivered to parents in a number of schools and community environments for the last three-years. This free workshop is offered to parents usually through the school. Workshops are facilitated by a Youth Connect staff member with the support of a school staff member usually the Careers/VET or VCAL Coordinator.

Key features of a PACTS workshop:

• Interactive facilitated workshops with limited visual aids – the focus is on discussion and participation
• Workshops are limited to two hours duration
• Maximum of 18 parents in a group
• Simple, easy to understand workshop handbook
• Optional Information Sessions prior to workshops that explain the program
• Workshops are held at school or in the community environment
• Networking and forming relationships with other parents
• Increased understanding about the school, it’s people and services

Workshop One – Beginning to explore

• Finding a place to start
• Occupational categories
• Careers/vocational instruments
• Learning to use the Job Guide
• Skills connection

Workshop Two – Career and transition services

• Communicating with your teenager about careers
• Career services and resources
• Training and further education options: VCE, VCAL, VET, ASBAs, TAFE and University
• Apprenticeships and Traineeships
• What is Group Training?

Workshop Three – Jobs (OPTIONAL)

• Tackling the employment market
• Telephone skills for job seeking
• Preparing for interviews
• Job Network and Centerlink

Please contact Mary Licciardo or Michelle Peterson at Youth Connect to find out more about the PACTs program