Over the past six years, our Next Step program has revealed a critical gap in career development support for young people. Our participants have worked hard to increase their resilience, improve their relationships and community involvement and have learned to integrate wellbeing into their lives. Our participants face unique challenges that require additional mentoring. Recent ...
Operation Flinders Foundation
Employment facilitator & mentor
GOAL
$20,000
Australia > SA > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Education/training and employment
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
Target Population
- Young people (6-25)
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
Operation Flinders Foundation
Operation Flinders aims to transform the lives of young people through engaging in challenging outdoor adventure therapy experiences. The program aims to help young people develop their self-esteem, confidence, resilience, motivation, teamwork and leadership, so they may grow as valued members of their community.
Our social impact focuses on empowering young people facing challenges by providing access to opportunities that transform their lives. We inspire new perceptions of their capabilities while developing practical skills and community connections to enhance their emotional and social well-being. This year, Mitcham Council residents who are students from Blackwood High School and Mitcham Girls High School are participating.
The core program, held at Yankannina in the northern Flinders Ranges, includes a 100km trek, abseiling, high ropes, team building, bush survival, cooking, navigation, and Indigenous culture. This remote experience fosters resilience, connection, and purpose, free from mobile devices and unhealthy products.
Project Summary
Over the past six years, our Next Step program has revealed a critical gap in career development support for young people. Our participants have worked hard to increase their resilience, improve their relationships and community involvement and have learned to integrate wellbeing into their lives.
Our participants face unique challenges that require additional mentoring. Recent collaborations with corporate partners have highlighted the need for support beyond standard HR inductions. This includes basic financial literacy, budgeting for essential expenses and support to plan safe transport to and from work. With our existing relationships and knowledge of each person’s challenges, we are well positioned to continue supporting them into employment.
This need for employment mentoring has been identified by our youth programs team and corporate employers. Ongoing offers from corporate supporters to provide training and employment opportunities to young people currently do not have the structure to successfully follow through these offers.
Financial support would fund a dedicated part-time role for one year, providing the necessary support to ensure our young people thrive in their careers and lives.
Project Outcomes
Employment is crucial for empowering our youth, providing financial security, and fostering independence. It also extends their support networks and positive adult interactions, which are essential for their mental health and wellbeing. As our participants graduate from our Next Step program at 19, successful workforce entry is vital for their continued support and mental health into adulthood. Youth unemployment is a significant indicator of financial disadvantage and social disconnection during their formative years (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).
During this first year we would liaise with other associations who have the same objectives to identify collaboration opportunities and determine where our resources will be best placed to support the niche requirements of our cohort of young people.
We would also work with corporate entities to identify their challenges with successful employment placements and work with them to identify a solid programme of training and mentoring to meet these needs.
The Employment Facilitator & Mentor would work with our community engagement team to:
- Identify suitable employment opportunities
- Assist with the role application process
- Provide coaching for successful interview techniques
- Liaise with employers to identify mentoring needs during induction and early employment
- Meet with the young person to provide mentoring and advice for successful workforce integration
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $60,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Gap | $20,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| New role salary & associated costs | $60,000 |
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