Three young people from our augmented Reconnect program and their Ladder Case Worker ventured out of Gippsland to attend an Open Day at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School in Melbourne. This opportunity stemmed from a few of our Ladder participants expressing interest in pursuing their creative dreams.

This was an eye-opening experience for our participants and provided an opportunity for them to explore alternative secondary education options. It also enabled them to understand what education and employment pathways were available for them.

As part of the Open Day, our young people observed a variety of classes including singing, theatre performances and dance which they thoroughly enjoyed. They were shown around the campus by some of the current students and our participants enjoyed hearing about how they balanced learning in their specialised fields alongside the standard curriculum.

The Open Day really boosted our young people’s confidence in pursuing education and careers in the arts and opened their eyes to what opportunities were out there and how they could pursue them.

“The visit to VCASS was inspirational, because it provides room for people to follow their dreams in the performing arts as well as completing their high school education”.

Ladder will continue to work with our participants and provide them with the skills and confidence to apply for their chosen education and training pathways.