School leaving age increases to 17 in 2008

2/1/08
Young people turning 17 years of age in 2008 will have to take part in either education, training or approved employment under the State Government's landmark leaving-age legislation.
The new laws, which came into effect yesterday, marked one of the most important changes to the State's education system in the past 40 years.
Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the new legislation would help ensure Western Australia's young people were well prepared for life in a modern, dynamic economy.
"Today's society demands that workers be literate, numerate and competent and we want to make sure no young person is left behind," Mr McGowan said.
"An extra two years education or training makes all the difference.
"It is no longer acceptable to quit school and hang around at home - we want to make sure all young people are out there taking advantage of the plethora of opportunities our State has to offer.
"That is why all 17-year-olds will be required by law to be at school, studying full-time at TAFE in a traineeship, an apprenticeship or employed in a job with genuine career prospects from the beginning of the 2008 school year.
"They can also participate in a combination of school, training or work if this suits their particular needs.
"A total of 84 specialist staff have been employed across WA to support young people at risk of not participating effectively in either education or training."
The Minister said the changes taking place in 2008 were the culmination of a process which began when the State Government passed legislation in 2005 raising the leaving age to 16 in 2006 and 17 in 2008.
Mr McGowan said that increasing the leaving age to 16-years-of-age in 2006 resulted in a five per cent jump in the number of students staying on at school in Year 11.
"The figures show 91.6 per cent of the number of students who began in Year Eight in 2003 remained in school at Year 11, compared with the 86.2 per cent of students in the previous four years," he said.

"What is more pleasing is that we know 97 per cent of all 16-year-olds in the State are at school, in training, have an apprenticeship or traineeship, or are employed.
"We estimate that this was only about 88 per cent in previous years."
Information on changes to the school leaving age is available at http://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolleavingage or telephone1800 245 485.
Minister's office - 9222 9111