The Engagement Forum WA has been running since 2014. The Forum aims to provide a platform to showcase programs and services that exist to support school aged young people to stay engaged with their education or to effectively transition from school to other approved options, including alternative education programs, training and employment.
Department of Education
Anna Bruni
Department of Education
Manager North Metro (west) Participation Team
Anna has held various roles within the Department of Education since 2000, as Senior Youth Worker, Participation Coordinator, Senior Participation Coordinator and Senior Engagement & Transitions Coordinator overseeing the pilot of North Metro Education region’s Engagement & Transitions Program.
Since completing a Youth Work qualification, Anna has worked extensively with vulnerable youth in both schools and in the community and has a strong knowledge, skills and understanding of the many challenges faced by young people and strives to empower and build their capacity to achieve their aspirations and fulfill their potential.
Department of Education
Department of Education
Nikolai Emery
Department of Education
Engagement and Transitions Manager
Southwest Education Region, Albany
Nikolai lives on Minang country on the beautiful south coast of WA where the forest meets the Southern Ocean and where he loves being in the outdoors experiencing the local area.
His work in the public service in Western Australia over two decades has been built on a foundation of studies in Australian history, anthropology, and education.
Nikolai has spent many years working with young people, communities, people living with disabilities and families with multiple and complex needs. His approach promotes the principles of inclusion, equity and social justice and he believes that linking young peoples’ experience of education and training to the reality of a rapidly changing social fabric within communities both local and global is an important role for helping young people thrive.
Department of Education
Department of Education
Carri Patten
Department of Education
Engagement and Transitions Manager
Southwest Education Region
Bunbury
Carri is a Manager for Engagement and Transitions with the WA Department of Education – Southwest Education Region.
Starting her career as a teacher, she worked in secondary education, moving into training and adult learning sectors before becoming a public servant working with disengaged young people since 2011.
With Human Services, Education and Management qualifications from UWA, and ECU, Carri brings a high level of experience and understanding to the rapidly developing field of student engagement and transitions.
Youth Futures
Matt Debarro
Youth Futures Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Manager
Matt is currently filling the role of RTO Manager at the Youth Futures WA overseeing curriculum development, compliance management and supporting education staff and leaders across multiple campuses delivering VET education to 400 young people.
Matt comes with a strong background in stakeholder management and leadership having previously worked for the WA Football Commission servicing schools and community football clubs across Perth metro.
Matt has also spent time as a coordinator/trainer at Youth Futures Anchor Point program in Bayswater working alongside trainers, youth workers, transition officers and psychologists supporting young people in education and social and emotional development.
Having a strong passion for working with young people and helping them achieve their goals, Matt enjoys working in an industry that allows him to utilise his skills and personal interests in sports, music, and vocational training to help support others.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
Anglicare WA
Vik Jeyakumar
Anglicare General Manager,
Metro Services Anglicare
Vik is the General Manager (Metro Services) at Anglicare WA. Last year, Anglicare WA supported over 70,000 people, including 30,000 young people, across WA.
Over his career, Vik has provided senior leadership for critical services in youth homelessness, mental health, street-based outreach, suicide postvention, mandated custodial and community-based justice programs, disability, counselling, family dispute resolution, family and domestic violence services, services at the Family Court of WA and has established a Care School.
He has spent the last 25 years leading regional and metropolitan multi-disciplinary services, driving systemic policy, and consequently service reforms to support clients and frontline services. Vik has led numerous partnerships and NGO consortia which has resulted in the delivery of innovative and responsive programs across regional and metropolitan WA.
Vik was recently acknowledged and awarded ‘The significant contribution to Youth Work in WA’ and granted a “Life Membership’ by WA’s peak body for youth (YACWA).
