A SERIES of public forums will be held across Western Australia, starting from April 29 in Albany on the WA Government’s proposal to raise the school leaving age first from 15 to 16 and then to 17.
The first 14 forums will be held across regional WA and besides Albany will be at Margaret River, Geraldton, Carnarvon, Karratha, Port Hedland, Collie, Bunbury, Northam, Esperance, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Kununurra, Narrogin and Mandurah.
In addition to the public forums the Department of Education and Training will conduct smaller targeted consultations with employers and youth groups to identify opportunities to better connect young people with genuine job prospects.
Education Minister Alan Carpenter said he had authorised a $1 million for the project to prepare parents, children, employers and the Department of Education and Training for the raising of the school leaving age.
Besides the public forums, the Government will also be conducting an advertising campaign and setting up a website.
There will also be opportunities for written submissions.