In 2017, the South Gippsland Bass Coast Passport 2 Employment Program engaged 2 schools and 10 students. This pathway program was delivered in partnership between the National Disability Coordination Officer Eastern Victoria Gippsland Region and SGBCLLEN.
Students from South Gippsland Specialist School and Bass Coast Specialist School completed the 8 week program which was delivered offsite one day per week during term four.
The program’s focus on the employment environment enabled participants to learn and build on relevant skills and attributes needed to successfully transition from secondary school.
The group had the fantastic opportunity to visit two workplaces; Bunnings Warehouse and Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club, to participate in behind the scenes tours. The visits provided great experience and education about workplace training requirements, different departments and work areas and firsthand information from real employers.
As part of the program, students participated in mock interviews at their local council offices. Project partners, South Gippsland Shire Council and Bass Coast Shire Council staff volunteered their time for the interviews.
In the lead up to interviews, Andrew and Steph from Work Solutions Gippsland presented an information session to the students. The session covered topics including interview techniques, preparing for an interview, what questions may be asked and appropriate dress and grooming. It was great for the students to gain an agency perspective of employer expectations when attending an interview.
In partnership with Yooralla, we also had four young student leaders who helped to take participants shopping to purchase clothes for their mock interviews. They were great positive role models on the day.
The Yooralla young leaders were also guest speakers at the graduation event sharing their own journeys as inspiration.
Feedback from partners:
“For me personally being involved in the Passport 2 employment program was a highlight of my year. It was great to have an opportunity to engage with the students and watch their interest and confidence grow. Such an important program that teaches young people basic skills that helps them progress towards employment! I was very honoured and happy to be part of it and am defiantly more than happy to be part of it again. Congratulations, a well run program.”
Andrew West, Business Development Consultant
Work Solutions Gippsland
“I thought that the program was fantastic. Being my first year involved I noticed a great change in the participant’s confidence from when we first met them to the graduation event. All the students looked so very smart and was so great to see how excited they were to be in their interview clothes. A fantastic program that was run extremely well and I would be more than happy to participate again in coming years. Well done to all involved, it is so fantastic that we had the opportunity to provide this program to the students and their schools.”
Stephanie Thoonen, Service Delivery Consultant
Work Solutions Gippsland
“We were inspired by the enthusiasm of the students from Bass Coast Specialist School in the P2E Program. To contribute to the development of their confidence and leadership skills throughout the program was a highlight for us and we encourage other employers to participate in the future.”
Jacquie Baillie, Human resource advisor
Bass Coast Shire Council
“I enjoyed the experience of the Dress for Success excursion and being a leader to help mentor the participants on that day, would do it again if given the chance. The graduation event was a very busy learning day, cooking, cleaning and giving a talk about my work at St Laurence’s Primary School.” –
Breele, Student
Yooralla