Link and Launch to further education and work
Research tells us that every year, a number of young people who complete Year 12 are not engaged in education, employment or training in the year after they leave school. The Queensland Department of Education has rolled out Link and Launch services on school sites to support young people who have completed Year 12 but are not in education, employment or training to navigate their options and choose a pathway that will equip them to successfully transition to study, training or work. The service is now operating in 35 sites.
How the program works
Link and Launch officers are based at participating host schools to connect with young people who have completed Year 12 but have not yet transitioned to further study, training or work. These officers assist young people to navigate a range of post-school study, training and work options in line with their individual goals, aspirations, skills and strengths and support them to make independent choices that will equip them to make a successful transition. Some options young people may consider through the program include:
- free apprenticeships for under 25s
- Fee-Free TAFE
- Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs
- alternative entry to university
- employment
- federal incentives and participation programs like Transition to Work.
Eligible young people
Young people who are not in education, employment or training and who completed Year 12 in the last few years are eligible to join the program. All eligible young people who have completed their senior studies can join the program irrespective of which school they attended. Participation in the program is voluntary. Young people enrolled at school are not eligible to join the program as career guidance and planning support is already provided by schools.
Schools in the Link and Launch program
The Link and Launch program was piloted in 4 schools in Queensland in 2019 and has expanded to 35 locations. The program is tailored to suit the cohort of students, geographic location and size of each school, together with the general needs of the community. Link and Launch officer contact details can be found on the following school websites or you can find your closest location on the Link and Launch locations map.
Schools that currently host the Link and Launch program:
Independent evaluation
The Department of Education engaged Sagacity Consulting to conduct an independent evaluation of the Link and Launch program. The study ran from October 2019 to July 2022 and includes longitudinal follow-up of participants up to 2.5 years after they were supported to make a transition. The final report was handed down in late 2022.
Further information
If you would like to hear what young people have to say about Link and Launch, check out these Link and Launch videos.
Email: engagement@qed.qld.gov.au