Young people face a number of challenges when making the move from classroom to career.
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More often than not, the biggest is knowing where to start out when you don't have the necessary skills.
Programmed Skilled Workforce is creating employment opportunities for young people across the Gunnedah region by developing safe, skilled workers for the future.
Through close partnership with their customers, Programmed identifies roles that suit young people just starting out in the workforce and upskill them through in-house training programs.
Representatives from Programmed recently spoke to high school students about opportunities within the mining sector and the training offered at Gunnedah's first-ever energy innovation and mining expo, EIMEX.
Continuous support also plays a key role in attracting and retaining young people in the workforce.
As well as Programmed's regular on-site presence and continuing employee support, Programmed's young employees are also supported through their award-winning young worker program.
Developed in response to a growing number of workplace incidents involving young people, this program is a comprehensive series of supervisor guides, induction videos and other material to ensure that young workers are educated about hazards and protected while on-site.
"The safety of our people is our number one priority at Programmed and our young workers are no exception," Programmed senior recruitment consultant Linda Gaynor said.
"By taking steps to help them learn on the job and instil them with the correct safety behaviours, we will make huge strides towards our goal of Zero Harm and also set them up for a successful future in the workforce."
Programmed's Gunnedah branch is located in Barber Street.
"The team are always available for a chat to anyone looking to launch their career, but aren't quite sure where to start," Linda said.
World Youth Skills Day will be held on Monday, July 15 and is part of a global recognition and promotion of skills for younger generations.
The theme for this year's event is, "Learning to learn for life and work" with the focus and lifelong learning and raising awareness about the importance of youth skills development.
JOBLINK PLUS
At the New England Region 2019 NSW Training Awards, Joblink Plus congratulated their three winners who have completed their training through Joblink Plus Training.
"All three of these individuals are incredible young people who have taken different journeys on the path to employment through their engagement with Joblink Plus," Joblink Plus spokeswoman Sophie Schumann-Maude said.
Jordan Balcombe was the runner up for the trainee of the year award.
Studying his certificate III in business, Jordan has been working at Joblink Plus in the communications department.
"During his time in the workplace, Jordan's confidence and ability has grown immensely and he has proven himself to be a talented designer with a keen eye for detail," Sophie said.
"Jacinta Rowe studied a certificate III in rural operations and received the award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student of the year. Engaging with Joblink Plus while searching for work, Jacinta was quickly employed by Hazells Farm and Fertilizer and has gone from strength to strength in the business."
Christian Fritze took home the award for vocational student of the year and achieved his certificate III in barbering while working at the 2340 Barber Shop, a social enterprise business run by Joblink Plus.
"Christian has a natural gift for barbering, with partial blindness not slowing him down in the slightest on his journey to success," Sophie said.
"At the conclusion of his traineeship, Christian was offered and accepted full-time employment at the 2340 Barber Shop."
Joblink Plus focuses on the individual needs and strengths of young people when helping them get ready to work.
With an emphasis on the development of pre-employment skills and offering support through all stages of the job placement process, Joblink Plus aims to ensure that young people have a positive experience when entering the workforce.
Joblink Plus is one of a number of district organisations supporting World Youth Skills Day. More information at un.org