Toowoomba training for at-risk youth marks 12 months

A skills and training program for young offenders and at-risk youths has marked its first year in Toowoomba. 

Minister for Youth Justice Leanne Linard said the Transition to Success (T2S) program in Toowoomba was one of twenty sites across Queensland providing alternative education and vocational training to prepare young offenders and at-risk teens for work.

“Toowoomba’s T2S program kicked off in May last year with a program to develop employability skills for at-risk youths,” she said.

“They’re now delivering their second T2S program with a range of partners including Toowoomba PCYC, local Indigenous artists, Queensland Fire Emergency Services and Carbal Medical Services.

“I thank the many hard-working staff who have supported young people these past twelve months while they found a new direction.

“And I extend a warm congratulations to the young people who are participating in this year’s program.”

Ms Linard said improving community safety takes sustained work – not just by the government, but by the community as well. 

“What we see here is a partnership with business, community groups and organisations to generate positive change and to make this change enduring,” she said.

“Everything we do in Youth Justice is about community safety and getting at-risk young people back into education, training, or work.

“We know that when young people access these pathways, they are far less likely to commit crime.

“T2S does just that and I’m delighted to see Toowoomba’s program going from strength to strength.”

Toowoomba PCYC is one of the partners supporting T2S.  It delivers regular wellbeing sessions as well as transports young people to programs as part of the Safer Communities Program.

Toowoomba PCYC Club Manager Sergeant Cam Crisp said the wellbeing sessions helped young people better manage not only their physical, mental, and emotional health, but also gave them a greater sense of self-worth and confidence.

“We see young people getting their lives back on track as a result of this program,” Sergeant Crisp said. 

“Toowoomba PCYC’s Safer Communities Program also supports T2S by assisting with transporting participants to the program. For some participants, this may be a barrier to their participation.”

A statewide evaluation of T2S in 2018 found more than two-thirds of graduates did not offend within 12 months of completing the program.  Last year more than 200 young people who were in the youth justice system or considered at risk graduated from T2S.

This year, a vast range of programs are being delivered across the state with certificates for construction, hospitality, foundation skills, automotive, sports training, resources, and infrastructure. 

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