Youth Bulletin
Issue 3, October 2006
Welcome to the third issue of the source Youth Bulletin
Every month the source brings you up-to-date news on youth programs, events and competitions
- National Youth Roundtable 2007 – Apply now!
- Be part of your own Survivor episode
- Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program
- Young people and Welfare to Work
- Why would a young person want a mentor?
- Pathways to Work
- Adopt a School: Connecting you to the right people
National Youth Roundtable 2007 - Apply now!
Do you want to meet with the Australian Government to discuss issues that impact upon young people? Then apply to be part of the National Youth Roundtable (Roundtable).
As a member of the Roundtable you will:
- Meet and work with other motivated young people who are passionate about youth issues;
- Learn about how government works;
- Develop skills in team work, problem solving, research, negotiation, interviewing and project management;
- Meet with politicians, heads of government departments and other people with national influence;
- Make new friends and develop useful networks; and
- Advocate for young people at a national level.
In the words of a member from last year: ‘National Youth Roundtable can open doorways to your future!’
All young Australians aged 15 to 24 years with a range of experiences and from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous young people, are encouraged to apply. Applications open Thursday 19 October and close Thursday 16 November 2006.
To find out more and download an application form, visit the Roundtable website or call 1800 624 309 (free call in Australia).
Be part of your own Survivor episode
Canoeing and raft-building – that’s how Australian Defence Force Cadets learn team building skills and trust, according to Squadron Leader Merridy Thompson, Australian Air Force Cadets.
‘After a short briefing from the guide, it was realised that canoeing was not as easy as first thought. In achieving the ultimate aim of staying upright and dry, cadets were required to perform position changes with partners from back to front and vice versa. By the completion of this activity, amongst much laughter, the moans of aching muscles could be heard’, said Merridy.
‘If one managed to survive being dry from canoeing, it was soon found that it wasn’t to last very long! The next activity involved building a “stable” raft from raw materials to send “volunteers” aboard the raft to retrieve an item from the other side of the river and return within a designated time period. So, where did it all go wrong – was it the flotation devices, the balance, the ropes or the lack of time?! The outcome speaks for itself … wet!
The cadets found it to be enjoyable while learning to develop teamwork and the valuable skill of trust, which will be used later in life.’
The Australian Defence Force Cadets is a youth development organisation where you take part in unique adventurous activities in a military-like setting and get the chance to meet Service men and women.
For further information visit the Cadet Net website.
Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program
The Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program (AYAD) was launched in 1998 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, to strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and the countries of the Asia Pacific and make a positive contribution to development.
The program places skilled young Australians, aged 18-30, on short-term assignments of between 3-12 months, in developing countries throughout the Asia Pacific region.
Youth Ambassadors work with Australian organisations and their overseas counterparts in a broad range of areas that include health, environment, rural development, gender, governance, justice, education and infrastructure development.
Youth Ambassadors use their skills and expertise to actively contribute to international development. They gain an increased understanding of the development needs of our neighbouring countries and broaden their experience by living and working in a cross-cultural environment.
There are three departures each year - in March, June and August/September. Intake 19 will be advertised in January 2007. A full list of positions and their descriptions will be available at the Australian Youth Ambassadors website.
For more information about the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program visit the AusAID website or freecall 1800 225 592.
Young people and Welfare to Work
If you’re a young person with a disability, or children, or if you just need extra help with getting into employment, there are services and initiatives available that are designed to give you support and encouragement as you move into the workforce.
A range of incentives and services were introduced by the Government on 1 July 2006. These include targeted assistance for young people with a disability, more generous income test rules to help you retain more of your Youth Allowance while working part-time, and extra support for parents moving into the workforce as their children get older.
For more information about what you might be able to access, or for any questions at all that you may have about the new arrangements, phone Centrelink on 13 17 64 or visit the Moving into Work website.
Why would a young person want a mentor?
A mentor is someone to talk to who is not a parent or a teacher. They are someone who is interested in what you have to say and will listen without judgement. A mentor is someone who believes you can achieve your goals and helps you to discover your strengths.
But mentoring is more than just talking. It can also provide you with experiences like thinking about your future, searching for a job, looking into apprenticeships, visiting open days and that’s just the business side of things.
Then there are the social experiences you and your mentor can share together, like learning a new skill or working on a project together. You can also visit places together that are of personal interest to you such as going to the movies, parks or ice-skating.
Once you start listing everything a mentor and young person can experience together it’s easy to answer the question: ‘Why would a young person want a mentor?’
For more information on mentoring go to the Youth Mentoring Network website or go to Mentor Marketplace, on the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs website, to find out what the Australian Government is doing about mentoring for young people.
Pathways to Work
There are a million of them. For some people the pathway to work will be straight to the Job Network and then work. For others the pathway won’t be so direct.
Some people need extra help to update skills before they can find sustainable employment. Others should consider longer term prospects in terms of career goals, and might consider a return to full time study, either vocational or university.
The bottom line is this—everyone needs as much information, and as many options as possible, to find their individual pathway to work. You know where you’d like to be. We can help you get there.
For more information, call Employment Services on 13 2850, Youth and Student Services on 13 2490, or visit your closest Centrelink Career Information Centre.
Adopt a School: Connecting you to the right people
Now you have all heard about Career Advice Australia its time to let you know about the different ways that we are helping you to get that ‘hands on’ experience and important information which will help you to start planning your future.
The Adopt a School Programme helps schools to get connected with businesses in their local area and encourages them to get involved in giving you the insight you need. Because lets face it – who better to give you training, experience and info on career opportunities than your future employers!
Through the Adopt a School Programme young people, teachers and even parents get the opportunity to be involved in tours, demonstrations and work placements in a huge variety of industries such as hospitality, transport, healthcare and construction.
Adopt a School recently gave 6 students from NSW’s Bomaderry High School the chance to expand on their TAFE Construction studies by working with local business ‘Box Built’ to construct new seating for their school. Not only did students get the chance to get their hands dirty for a change - the school got new seats and the students got real skills. That’s exactly the kind of experience that looks great on your resume.
But there are heaps of opportunities out there – no matter what industry you are interested in. Under Adopt a School other students have had the chance to build stables, work in hotels, design websites and even work in vineyards to produce their own wine.
Sound like fun? To find out more email us at LCP@dest.gov.au.
Students from Bomaderry High School working with local business 'Box Built'
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