The Australian Government’s IYLP initiative is helping to close the gap on Indigenous educational disadvantage through scholarships for Indigenous students, mostly from remote and regional areas, to attend high performing secondary schools (day and boarding, government and non-government) and universities.

Funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), FYA has delivered IYLP over 2006-2009 with Cape York Institute and Yalari Ltd joining FYA in 2008.

The IYLP is supporting Indigenous students achieve Year 12 attainment and/or completion of a university degree.

Since 2006, 72 secondary students have graduated year 12 as part of the IYLP, another 289 secondary and 49 tertiary students are currently receiving scholarships. To date, the IYLP is enjoying a 90% retention rate, a strong endorsement for the program and its objectives.

The Gathering convened at Rydges Hotel in Brisbane, bringing together over 200 young Indigenous students from across remote, regional, and metropolitan Australia. These students were engaged by a diverse range of expert facilitators, who inspired, mentored and extended students through open discussion, leadership exercises and cultural activities.

IYLP 2010-2012

All enquiries about existing or new IYLP scholarships should be referred to the Partnership Broker for your region.

The Australian Government has engaged eight Partnership Brokers to deliver at least 300 (240 secondary and 60 tertiary) IYLP scholarships of up to three years duration, each year over 2010-2012. The eight organisations that will partner with schools, businesses and Indigenous communities to deliver these scholarships are listed on the  DEEWR website.

Indigenous Youth Leadership Program

The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) offers scholarships and leadership opportunities to young Indigenous Australians from remote or regional communities. The IYLP gives Indigenous young people the opportunity to study at high performing secondary schools or universities and benefit from practical leadership experiences, personal development and mentoring. This program is administered by FYA on behalf of the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

The objectives of the IYLP are to:

• Assist young Indigenous people generally from remote areas, to develop and fulfil roles as Indigenous leaders in their communities;
• Provide young Indigenous people with the opportunity to attend Australian schools and universities, that offer a wide range of educational choices and experiences;
• Support young Indigenous people before and during attendance at such schools and universities; and
• Provide practical leadership experience.

The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) is helping to close the gap in Indigenous educational disadvantage through providing access to choice of education for numbers of Indigenous students, particularly those from remote areas.

Secondary school scholarships worth up to $16,250 per annum per student in 2010 are available, in addition to any ABSTUDY entitlements, towards the costs for: school fees and tuition; boarding and accommodation costs (not already funded through other programs); and practical leadership experiences. Tertiary scholarships provide a contribution of $6,000 per annum towards the costs of attending university and an additional up to $1,250 supports each student’s leadership development.

“It wasn’t until I started going back over my life that I truly realised exactly how far I have come and how much further I can go… I am determined to finish Year 11 and 12. I will be the first person in my family to receive my High School Certificate and maybe even the first to attend University.”

Cyril, IYLP 2008 Participant.

The Gathering

Each year, as part of the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP), approximately 250 students and teachers have come together to network and access leadership development opportunities and experiences. This activity has occurred at an event called The Gathering. To learn more about the Gathering and to view photos and videos from the 2009 event click here.

For more details on IYLP visit DEEWR.

FYA is one of NAB’s 10 local community partners. This multifaceted partnership is engaging NAB and its staff in the work of FYA and supporting FYA to achieve its mission.

Furthermore, NAB is the lead partner in Schools First. Their investment in education is the largest in Australian corporate history and FYA continues as a supporting partner in this program.

]]> http://www.fya.org.au/supporters-partners/feed/ 0 http://www.fya.org.au/what-we-do/indigenous/ http://www.fya.org.au/what-we-do/indigenous/#comments Mon, 18 May 2009 01:24:18 +0000 admin http://www.fya.org.au/?page_id=79 Cultural Warning

FYA has supported young Indigenous Australians through a range of targeted initiatives, grants and scholarships over many years. In the past decade alone, we have facilitated the invesment of $15 million in these initiatives.  Going forward, this support will increase as we drive a courageous agenda for change based on best evidence and in collaboration with national and international expertise.

Our strategic plan outlines a number of objectives that will be acted on:

• During 2009 we will determine the balance of Indigenous specific grant making and incorporate this approach into all efforts across FYA.
• Attract highly regarded Indigenous leaders to our staff and Board by December 2009.
• Develop partnerships that will leverage the collective knowledge, influence and expertise to benefit young Indigenous Australians.
• Support, develop and implement location-based initiatives that address areas of most need.
• Continue to engage Indigenous young people as participants in our Cityscape, Worlds of Work, ruMAD? and Opportunity Scholarship programs.

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