Youth Express Maitland runs a variety of initiatives aimed at providing young people with vital skills and connections to become successful in the workplace.
The Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC) is one such program. It is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment initiative focused on placing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into sustainable employment.
The VTEC team work on engaging the community, getting participants job ready, vocational training, guaranteeing jobs and providing ongoing mentoring for those in, or preparing for, employment. Operating under the Wonnarua word KauKan which translates to 'one who is able', their ethos is 'Right Mob for the Job'.
Other successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs are the Indigenous Advancement Strategy, and Partners for Successful Aboriginal Young People. The Links to Learning program re-engages students with education and focuses on years 9 and 10. The Work Placement team provide schools with the opportunity to seek work placements for students studying VET courses and run programs to give students the opportunity to ask questions of industry and make informed choices for their future. Validate Me is another very successful program empowering young people to self-validate rather than rely on external approval and initiate self-development in areas they find challenging or would like to improve. Contact Youth Express on 4931 2777.
