Bundaberg Regional Council’s Jobs Commitment program recently facilitated a youth engagement breakfast which helped to inform industry of how they can support and work with disengaged youth throughout the region.
The solutions focussed discussion aimed to provide industry the opportunity to learn what they can do to provide opportunities to the wellbeing of disadvantaged, and trauma-affected young people.
40 people attended the breakfast to hear from guest speakers including The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs which provided insight into their Transition to Success (T2S) program and partnership with Peirson Farms.
T2S is a training program for young people aged 15 and over who are involved in the youth justice system or are assessed as being at risk of entering it.
Council’s Community Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Tracey McPhee said the event was a great way to bring industry together and at the same time, get insight into the benefits of businesses engaging with our region's young people.
“I feel proud to be part of a council who collaborate and support events such as this,” Cr McPhee said.
“This initiative will provide ongoing benefits and positive change for the youth within our community.
“Helping industry to understand how they can provide opportunity for the wellbeing of our disadvantaged or trauma affected young people only helps us to build a stronger local workforce.”
Peirson Farms shared how participants of the program have helped them to complete a fence-building project to keep out feral pigs which led to the employment of two participants.
Other participants were taught skills in zero turn mowers, gained construction certificates, chemical certificates and completed small engine work.
Attendees at the event said the youth engagement breakfast was informative while providing them the opportunity to network and work together to provide solutions for disengaged youth.
The Bundaberg Jobs Commitment is all about connecting employers with local youth to inspire and assist them in making decisions to pursue a life that includes work and education after they leave school.
The program was created to address the Bundaberg Region’s high youth unemployment and disengagement rates.
You can find out more about the Bundaberg Jobs Commitment here.
Other stories: IP@K students reap benefits of hands-on learning
