National innovation award for Mildura’s FLO Connect program

Published on 28 November 2014

FLO Connect, a Mildura-based youth program that helps young people find new pathways to education, training and employment has received national recognition for its innovative approach to service delivery.

The Service Science Society of Australia announced FLO Connect as runner up in the government category of its 2014 Service Innovation Awards on Tuesday night. The Awards recognise organisations that have demonstrated significant innovation in the design and/or delivery of services.

Community Wellbeing and Services Portfolio Councillor Sharyon Peart and FLO Connect Coordinator Bernadette Warburton accepted the award on behalf of the FLO Connect team.

“FLO Connect is a collaboration between Mildura Rural City Council and Red Cliffs Secondary College that was set up to increase education completion rates locally,” Cr Peart said.

“We’re extremely proud of FLO Connect and the difference it is making to our community.

“Recognition for innovation at a national level is very pleasing, but it’s the impact this program is having on the ground that is most encouraging.”

FLO Connect delivers accredited flexible learning options for 12-18 year olds within a community based setting. It is tailored for disengaged youth, who at this stage, cannot or will not re-commence their education or employment pathway within a traditional setting, and prepares them to be able to do so.

The breakthrough approach provides individual learning programs based on young people’s strengths and interests.

Since Mildura’s FLO Connect Centre opened in January, 57 students have been enrolled in the program. Ten of these have already made the transition to employment, Registered Training Organisations or other educational settings.

Red Cliffs Secondary College Principal David Browne said the unique partnership between the school, Council and other supporters was working extremely well, and something that all parties were keen to continue.

“To receive such recognition in our very first year of operation is a huge honour. I extend my congratulations to all who have made a contribution to the success of FLO Connect in its first year.”

FLO Connect is part of the Northern Mallee Community Partnership Re-engagement Strategy. The strategy has adopted a partnership approach between DEECD, Red Cliffs Secondary College (as host school) and other secondary schools, Mildura Rural City Council and the Northern Mallee Local Learning and Employment Network. There are also 18 community partners supporting FLO Connect.

“FLO Connect’s innovation is that it has brought education and service provision to work side by side, under the one roof at a more sophisticated and robust level of collaboration, to help youth address the barriers to their participation,” Cr Peart said.