Townsville youth aid local charities

The Palaszczuk Government’s Transition 2 Success program is making a difference in Townsville, with 11 participants graduating today with a Certificate II in Engineering Pathways and some who have already secured traineeships with local businesses.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said these young people have also been doing work to help a local charity.

“During their studies, these young people have been working on a custom-painted bonnet and panel from a 1998 Nissan Pulsar that will be auctioned to raise money for charity,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“Partington Wreckers donated the bonnet and panel and the young people prepared them for conversion into artwork. The panels will be auctioned online and will benefit Kids Under Cover and The Cure Starts Now.”

Ms O’Rourke said at least five of today’s graduates were going onto apprenticeships and traineeships, while others have returned to flexi school, or are continuing on to the next Transition 2 Success (T2S) program, which is a Certificate 2 in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways.

“This cohort of graduates is a great example of how the Transition 2 Success program is changing young people’s lives.

“Since the program first started in Townsville in May 2016, 19 young people have completed the program, graduating with 41 certificates.

“T2S helps young people get back to school, into further education or into jobs with the ultimate goal of preventing re-offending.

“Figures show that more than 80 per cent of young people in the youth justice system reoffend after 12 months. For T2S graduates, that figure is greatly improved with more than two-thirds not reoffending within 12 months.

“This program is helping to reduce crime and helping young people live more productive lives in their community.”

Ms Coralee O’Rourke said the graduates in this cohort worked alongside local businessman Aaron Sergi from North Queensland Classic Muscle Cars to gain their qualification.

“The resident artist at Mr Sergi’s business and local Indigenous artist Scott Walker completed the artwork on the panels that will be auctioned online and will benefit Kids Under Cover and The Cure Starts Now,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“The auction and the graduation signal the end of 20 weeks of hard work by Mr Sergi who was responsible for shepherding the young people through the practical phases of their qualification.”

Mr Sergi was aware of some negative public perceptions about young people for some time and wanted to help change their direction.

“When Troy Buchanan from Youth Justice approached us to be involved, I said yes immediately,” Mr Sergi said.

“And I have been really impressed with the young people. We were very clear about our expectations of them as employees and they easily met those expectations.

“In fact we were so happy that we’re looking at taking on one of the boys as an apprentice. He really wants to work in the industry and he’s shown he’s got the right attitude and commitment.”

Mr Sergi said that the T2S program and the staff from the Youth Justice Service Centre, gave the young people and his business excellent support.

“The whole process was excellent, and we’d definitely recommend any business be involved with T2S,” he said.

T2S Project Officer Troy Buchanan said Mr Sergi had focussed strongly on skill development with the young people.

“It gave the young people a real idea of what it would take to do the work long term. It opened their eyes to opportunities in the field, and they enjoyed the work,” Mr Buchanan said.

“Four young people from this class have also obtained traineeships with another business, VRM Biologik.”

T2S helps young people get back to school, into further education or into jobs with the ultimate goal of preventing re-offending. It is helping to reduce crime and helping young people live more productive lives in their community.

For more information on T2S, please visit www.justice.qld.gov.au/t2s.

Media contact: Carolyn Nicholas - 0416 532 373