Activ support for students

Business owners, parents and Year 9 to 12 students from Geographe Education Support Centre joined Activ Business Services Busselton staff on a workplace tour on Tuesday.

Activ CEO Vincent Long said students represented the future of the foundation, which also celebrated its 60th year anniversary.

Three students from Geographe Education Support Centre spoke of how training and work experience last year benefited them and it was announced certificates and traineeships in wider ranging areas were being earmarked.

Support centre teacher Sarah Baker said while Activ work experience for the school’s Year 11 and 12 students with special needs was compulsory, about 12 students from Year 10 were expected to also undertake training this year.

“Activ provides a supported work environment for students not ready for open employment,” she said.

She said Activ would continue to offer skills training and social development to help employees gain regular employment.

“The structure is there, we just need the students to come through and businesses to keep supporting us,” Activ Business Services Busselton production co-ordinator Glenys Semark said.