Mentoring the next generation

By Gianni Francis

Jun 7, 2022

Sage advice: Mentee Jess Hogan and her mentor Jo Fraser.

Young people at Shepparton’s Flexible Learning Centre will work with mentors to navigate potential career pathways for their future.

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The Goulburn Murray Local Learning and Employment Network officially kicked off the Link2Learn mentor program on Friday, June 3.

The program pairs 15 young people from Shepparton Flexible Learning Centre with a mentor from the Greater Shepparton and Moira Shire communities.

“I have worked with young people who have not completed Year 12 and hold no tertiary qualifications,” mentor and Uniting Vic.Tas diversity youth case manager Drew Mastin-Lundberg said.

“These young people are often overlooked for employment opportunities due to their education history and limited employment experiences.”

Mentors will support the young people over six months, guiding them with career and education planning, and setting goals for their next steps in life.

“I am very interested in some guidance towards finding the right career and gaining a good work ethic,” Shepparton Flexible Learning Centre student Pilan Fitzpatrick said.

“I would like to find a career pathway that interests me, learn how to deal with difficult situations that might occur in the workplace and to understand what makes a good employee.”

The program also offers young people the opportunity to engage in monthly workshops on different topics, and visits from key guest speakers from industry.

“It would be great to find employment in an industry which I enjoy. Also meeting people with different experiences who can give me advice,” student Chris Boland said.

Work placements are available for each young person in the program to give on-the-job experience and build skills and industry knowledge.

“I enjoy practical hands-on work, I love the outdoors and physical activity,” student Shannon Buscombe said.

“I would like to have support to find a job which I enjoy.”

“Link2Learn is a pilot program and one of its kind for our region, we look forward to successful outcomes and would look to expand the program if successful in gaining funding in 2023,” GMLLEN program co-ordinator Lisa Kerr said.

If you are a local business or employer that is interested in hosting young people for work placement, contact Lisa Kerr at lisa.kerr@gmllen.com.au to express your interest.