WorklinkWA giving students a chance to learn outside of the classroom as part of pilot program

Four young Albany residents have developed practical experience and valuable skills through WorklinkWA’s Youth Development pilot program.

The four students, who sought opportunities outside of mainstream schooling, were engaged through the organisation’s program to construct and install new alfresco seating for the Albany Youth Support Association.

WorklinkWA chief executive Ben Killey said the aim of the project was to “build bridges between school and work for each young person”.

“Albany can be proud of this project,” he said.

“It connects local funding, assets and organisations around our people to help them get ahead.

“With more funding like this, we can continue to cater for young people each year and help them get into good local jobs in our town.”

The project was supported by funding from Youth Great Southern as well as contributions from Southern Ports.

Youth Great Southern chair Ricky Burges was pleased funding from the Quick Grants program had been put to good use.

“Knowing that practical work-related skills are being taught is fabulous,” she said.

“Our hope is this builds the students’ confidence and creates pathways to further education or employment for them.”

In-kind support was provided by the City of Albany which allowed the students to use workshop space adjacent to Fossickers Tip Shop as part of its partnership, with WorklinkWA aiming to divert waste and support youth and National Disability Insurance Scheme participant employment training.

Student Lily Kuret said she learnt “so much” from her mentors while building the seating.

“I was able to understand maths in a different way than at school,” she said.

The pilot program aimed to establish how well the approach to training could help young people seeking an alternative pathways to employment.

According to WorklinkWA, future projects within the pilot will look at further enhancement of AYSA’s Sandford Road facility as well as Youth Challenge Park.