Forging futures: NSW roundtable strengthens post-school pathways for regional students

A recent education roundtable held in Narrabri has highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in improving career and life outcomes for students in regional, rural and remote New South Wales.

Hosted at Narrabri High School on 18 June 2025, the event brought together school leaders, vocational education and training (VET) professionals, and key stakeholders from the NSW Department of Education, TAFE NSW, CSIRO and local communities. The goal: to strengthen the Educational Pathways Program (EPP) and expand its impact in underserved regions like Moree and Lightning Ridge.

Launched five years ago, the EPP began as a pilot with 24 schools and now supports 183 schools across NSW. The program is designed to provide students with clear, supported transitions from secondary school into training, employment or further education, a mission especially critical in regional areas where options may be limited.

Narrabri High students Menzie Baker-Harvey and Zeiken Green-Murray opened the day with a powerful Acknowledgement of Country, anchoring the day’s discussions in local connection and cultural respect.

Attendees took part in workshops and strategy sessions focused on “optimising opportunities and minimising barriers,” a central theme of the event. Conversations centred on common challenges regional students face from limited access to local training providers to reduced visibility of post-school options and the practical ways schools and communities can respond.

A highlight of the day was a deep dive into the RoSA@work – Future Pathways Program, a targeted intervention for students at risk of disengaging from school. The program offers tailored support, helping students reconnect with learning and explore realistic pathways based on their skills and interests.

Rachael Shearer, a leading figure in the EPP’s rollout in north-west NSW, and Laura Peisley shared insights into how this model is helping students remain engaged in their future goals, with the flexibility and mentoring they need to stay on track.

A second workshop explored how schools can build stronger partnerships with industry, training providers and community services to expand students’ access to learning and employment opportunities.

Principal Richard Finter from Lightning Ridge Central School, a long-standing EPP champion, spoke candidly about the evolving needs of regional schools and the tangible benefits of sustained investment in post-school pathways.

“The willingness of everyone to invest their time and collaborate means we can take meaningful steps to further enhance outcomes for students across regional NSW,” said Department of Education organiser Shannon Mudiman in closing.

For those working in early learning and school settings alike, the Narrabri roundtable serves as a timely reminder that preparing young people for the future begins long before school finishes and that access, equity and inclusion must be central to that effort.

As programs like the EPP continue to evolve, they demonstrate what’s possible when schools, systems and communities come together to support every child, regardless of where they live, to forge a successful future.

To read the original coverage of this story, as produced by The Courier, please see here