SEE students build English skills and break down barriers

Recently our Dandenong and Oakleigh Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) classes had a visit from members of the Victorian police force. 

The classes were themed around educating students about what the police department does to help the public and how to access these services. 

They discussed things like: 

• Crime prevention tips for in the home, the car, the street and on public transport.
• The different ways police serve the public.
• When and how to call Triple 000 to report an emergency or the police station for a non-urgent crime.
• How to access translation services.

Living in a country that speaks a language other than your own can pose a lot of difficulties in your day-to-day life.  

Things that some might think of as routine, could present a real challenge to those that speak English as a second language.  
 
When you consider that nearly 30% of Australia’s population was born overseas that is potentially a lot of people that may not be able to participate in life as fully as other Australians. 

A focus for our trainers in the Skills for Education and Employment program is to focus on practical, applicable, real-world skills. 

The visiting police officers also took time to show students some of the tools they use to keep the peace and even tried on some police vests. 
 
There were a few surprises learnt along the way as well with the officers doing some myth-busting as questions turned to some of the common tropes, we see in moves and tv shows like CSI! 
 
The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program is delivered by MAX on behalf of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.