A new program has launched at a Parramatta school to help teach financial independence to high school girls.
Women whose highest education level is Year 12 and lower are reportedly falling behind in terms of financial literacy, according to research from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey. To fix this, a new pilot program has been introduced to help close the financial literacy gender gap.
Funded by the NSW Government, the Future Not Followers program will focus on teaching young women how to apply their financial literacy skills in a real-world environment. Over 12 weeks, 10 students from Parramatta’s Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC) will learn about a range of important topics, such as goal setting, budgeting, superannuation, and career planning.
Attended by Bronnie Taylor, NSW Minister for Women, and Western Sydney Women Managing Director Amanda Rose, the program officially launched at OLMC on Wednesday, March 9.
Developed by Ms Rose as part of the NSW Council for Women’s Economic Opportunity, the Future Not Followers initiative will help prepare girls for life beyond high school.
“It’s bridging the gap between school-taught financial literacy and applying that knowledge to the practical world environment,” Ms Rose said.
“We show them all the key financial requirements that they need to learn to be able to reach their goals, but also we add in all those soft skills that they are not learning.”
For Ms Rose, it’s important that girls from western Sydney have access to financial information so they can become more confident in chasing their goals.
“In western Sydney and other key areas, the girls aren’t considered as ambitious and then they’re not given the opportunities. They’re just kind of forgotten about,” Ms Rose said.
“I’d like to see the program roll out across any key area that is considered lacking, disadvantaged or that doesn’t have the resources that other schools would normally get. We need to be on an equal playing field not only with other areas in Australia, but also with the boys.”
Following the launch, Ms Rose said the girls are excited for the program to start.
“They loved it because, let’s face it, school can be just school, but this is giving them real-life information,” Ms Rose said.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.