Advance is a school-based program for young people to volunteer in their community. It is a partnership between the Office for Youth, Victorian government secondary schools and community organisations.
Through Advance, young people, schools and community organisations develop networks of relationships while achieving shared goals. The program also encourages communities to support and recognise young people’s participation and positive role in society.
Advance gives young people a chance to do something great in their community based on their choice. Young people are able to plan projects, meet new people, build skills and make a difference in their community.
The Advance framework
Participating schools deliver five program elements:
- Learning modules 1, 2 and 3 (Community, Communication and Project management skill development)
- Recognised training
- A community project or series of volunteering activities delivered in partnership with innovative approaches to program delivery are encouraged
- Recognition and celebration
- Program reporting
Importantly, young people’s participation in decision making is expected to be included throughout the delivery of the five program elements.
Program delivery
Advance is delivered in a range of school settings including secondary schools (yrs 7-12), special schools, special developmental schools, English as a second language schools and Indigenous school campuses. Schools decide how to target and deliver Advance and implement the program in a range of ways such as:
- integrated into core curriculum
- as an elective inside of school time
- as an elective outside of school time
- the Victorian Essential Standards Framework (VELS)
- the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL)
- Vocational Education Training
The flexibility of Advance means it can be modified to suit the needs, interests and abilities of any number of students from a range of diverse backgrounds and locations. Innovative approaches to the program delivery are encouraged.
Resources and support
Advance is delivered through a partnership between the Office for Youth, Victorian Government secondary school campuses and community organisations where:
- The Office for Youth provides program funding, guidelines, curriculum materials and support to plan, implement and evaluate Advance
- Schools provide a learning environment that supports youth development
- Community organisations may be involved in a range of ways, including providing materials, a learning environment and support for young people’s community activities using a youth development approach
The Office for Youth has developed a range of tools for schools and for community organisations to help deliver Advance.
Who can apply?
Advance is non-competitive and open to all Victorian Government secondary school campuses. New schools may enter the program each school year. Multi-campus schools are eligible to apply for funding to deliver Advance on each campus.
Contact the Advance team for more information.