A Wetherill Park Perspective

SWSI TAFE Outreach plays a significant role SWSI’s response to the federal Social Inclusion agenda. Whilst mainstream TAFE has strong links to industry alongside some community link, it is Outreach that has a vast and deep network in local communities with some links to industry. These include the provision of services in communities that aim to give skills and support for work opportunities and also that connects students with their local community giving them ownership, a participation role and a sense of belonging.
Wetherill Park
Our approach is through appreciative inquiry and seeks to address opportunities and challenges with intergenerational outcomes that are productive and sustainable.
Fairfield Local Government Area is comprised of 27 suburbs from Abbotsbury to Yennora Highly. Highly populated suburbs include Cabramatta, Fairfield, Canley Vale, Canley Heights and Bonnyrigg. The area has Cultural diversity through ethnic diversity.
The population of Fairfield Local Government is over 180,000.

• 52.5% were born overseas
• 95% born in a non-English speaking countries
• highest number of residents who were born overseas
• highest number and proportion (66%) of language- other-than-English speakers
• highest number and proportion of residents who do not speak English well or at all.

Highest school qualifications - most of our students highest school qualification is year 10 and a significant number of students schooling was completed at year 8 and some have had no education.
Consultations with local communities (Fairfield) suggest people particularly vulnerable to social exclusion include people with poor or no English language skills, recent immigrants, especially refugees and asylum seekers; people who do not have or utilise access to the internet; young people without access to computers, people with a disability and those; isolated at home without transport (State of the Community Report- Fairfield City Council)
Wetherill Park Outreach collaborates with government, semi-government and community organisations to conduct programmes in the LGA to alleviate the social exclusion caused by language barriers, a lack of computer access, social isolation or isolation through lack of transport. Recently we have worked closely with our Hospitality section to integrate their units into our programs. I have just heard of a young man who applied for a job at a fast food outlet and was offered a position without an interview because he had completed the “Follow workplace hygiene procedures” and “Apply First Aid” through a Wetherill Park Outreach program in the community.