Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
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iTrack provides students with someone to talk to outside of their networks who can give them advice and encourage them with their post-school plans.
Many young people disengage from their education and drop out of school during their teenage years. The impact of growing up in disadvantage creates barriers that can make it even more difficult to see the benefit of completing Year 12.
Leaving school early also affects the work choices available to young people. Many disadvantaged students lack access to positive role models and mentors who can support their expectations, build aspirations for the future and learn how to reach their career goals.
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The Smith Family's iTrack program connects students in Years 9 to 11 to adult mentors who provide advice and help them explore post-school options.
What is iTrack?
Many young people disengage from their education and drop out of school during their teenage years.
The impact of growing up in disadvantage creates barriers that can make it even more difficult to see the benefit of completing Year 12. Leaving school early also affects the work choices available to young people. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds sometimes have a more limited network of people to talk to about career opportunities.
iTrack is an online mentoring program for high school students in Years 9 to 11. Students are matched with a supportive adult (other than a teacher or parent) who volunteers as a mentor and provides the student with general encouragement and advice and guidance about workplace, study and career opportunities. Students and mentors communicate over an 18 week period.
Volunteer mentors are drawn from our network of corporate and community partners. All mentors are screened, inducted and then matched with a student, where possible according to the student’s career aspirations.
How does itrack help?
The purpose of the relationship established through iTrack is to offer encouragement, and for mentors to share the benefit of their own study and workplace experience.
Last year, 80% of the students who participated in iTrack said that their mentor has helped them to be more positive about their future career and study options.
Joel participated in iTrack and found that it really helped him with his study habits. Thanks to iTrack, Joel has a clear idea of his career pathway in recreational sports and secondary teaching.
"When I was in Year 10 I was missing that career guidance. My mentor was really helpful in that sort of direction. The more you talk to them, the more you find out you can learn from your mentor." Joel said.
What iTrack students and mentors said
Students
“It was really fun, and helpful. The more I talked to my mentor the more I was able to build my confidence in what I wanted to do for my career.”
“I enjoyed learning new things my mentor told me. She taught me things that I didn’t know (which was really useful), she encouraged me to be more confident, and she's one of the best mentors ever.”
Mentors
“My student was lacking in overall confidence and was quite introverted in his discussions. I felt he gained a fair bit from the experience, more so in being able to speak to somebody outside his family situation.”
“I really enjoy the interaction of chatting online and the vibrancy of my mentees. I get a great deal of satisfaction in participating in iTrack. I feel that I am doing something useful.”
With the help The Smith Family programs, students are able to get the life changing out-of-school learning support they need to enhance their learning and development skills.
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iTrack
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More than just work experience, this business-led initiative provides young people with opportunities to experience the world of work first hand and in a meaningful way.
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1 Sikora, J., & Saha, L. J. (2011). Lost talent? The occupational ambitions and attainments of young Australians. Retrieved 5 June, 2013, from http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2313.html