News

PHOTO CAPTION:

(L-R back row) Councillor Ruth Alexander, Khyal Fairclough, James Rose, Joanne Possett, Ben Hall, Stuart Davis, Chris Cheeseman

(Front Row L-R) Deputy Mayor Dennis Wood, Kasie Law, Gary Gray, Colin Kerr, Demi White, Archy Burrows

MEDIA RELEASE – FIRST GREEN JOB RECRUITS TACKLE KWINANA RESERVES

“Ten young people have been selected to take part in the first Bridging the Gap and Job Futures project under the National Green Jobs Corps program to help improve our local environment,” local member of Federal Parliament Gary Gray said today.

“I congratulate Bridging the Gap and Job Futures and all the participants who are getting involved in this project to restore Kwinana’s conservation reserves.”

“This is an outstanding opportunity for those involved to get skills and work experience in emerging green industries, while helping to improve our local environment.”

Over the next 26 weeks the ten member team will:

• Install rabbit proof fencing;
• Collect native seeds;
• Control and map environmental weeds, and;
• Plant natives.

Bridging the Gap CEO Colin Kerr highlighted the importance of the Federal Government’s commitment to helping more young people get job ready for future demand industries.

“I hope each of these young people makes the most of this opportunity and I am sure that they will realise their full potential,” Mr Kerr said.

Participants in the National Green Jobs Corps will:

• Gain Nationally recognised accredited training;
• Make new friends and learn about team work;
• Develop leadership skills;
• Get hands-on experience in applying the skills you learn; and
• Gain a sense of satisfaction by contributing to important community projects.

“I am proud that we have a group of enthusiastic young people who want to help the environment and gain skills for future employment,” Mr Gray said.

The National Green Jobs Corps program is part of a much broader Australian Government commitment to target unemployment, increase education levels and support young people to participate in education and training.

It will also ensure that the labour market is looked after well into the future.

The National Green Jobs Corps is a $79.6 million government program delivered over the next two years to give 10,000 young Australians work experience and training to get them job ready.

Further information is available at: http://www.deewr.gov.au

MEDIA CONTACT:

Aleta Johnston (Gary Gray) 0431 514 677

Colin Kerr (Bridging the Gap) 9550 1111

AWARD WINNERS

Employer of the Year Schutz DSL
Schutz DSL has become employers that have shown great understanding about the clientele that Bridging the Gap Job Services Australia have to work with. Over the last 6 months we have placed people with them from Administration, Factory hand, and leading hands, we currently have 4 clients currently placed with Schutz DSL

Employee of the Year Yolande McAdams
Yolande is a single parent with four children; Yolande has been a member of Bridging the Gap on/off since 2008. Yolande was encouraged to attend BTG"s Working Life program that is designed to motivate and boost self esteem and confidence. Yolande did this and during the course of this program Yolande gained confidence and well as inner strength to commence looking again at the world of work and the opportunities that lay ahead of her.Through career exploration with her Employment Advisor Yolande identified her desire to work within Disability and Aged Care industry. Yolande enrolled and gained a qualifications in Certificate III and IV in Aged and Disability care. Yolande and EA were then active in searching for employment and Yolande was successful in gaining employment with Baptist care and West Coast Nursing Agency. Yolande has been working with them for over 6 months and continues to work for West Coast Nursing Agency.

Mysti McNoon – BTG Youth Award
Mysti, a young person who enrolled into Connections in early 2009, utilized the programme to assist in overcoming personal barriers, in terms of life, training, and work. Mysti volunteered for our 2009 residential and demonstrated great leadership qualities by inspiring people and motivating them to achieve their own personal goals. On completion of Connections and the GYM8 programmes, Mysti enrolled in a Pre Apprenticeship Spray Painting Panel Beating course and is doing extremely well.

Saxon Suter-Perry – Achievement Award
Saxon first came to BTG as a participant in the Connections program in 2009. At that time, Saxon had low self-esteem and had never worked within a small group. Saxon has made incredible efforts to overcome personal barriers, and worked extremely hard to achieve success in completing FUELLS and CWP. His newfound confidence and his ability to work well with others have been noted by Bridging the Gap staff members and other supporting agencies. Currently Saxon is enrolled in a full time GATE program at TAFE and doing extremely well.

Taylor Dodds – David Nelson Award
Taylor has made incredible strides over the past twelve months towards her goals of independence, personal growth, and leadership. Taylor came to Bridging the Gap through the Connections program. As part of her journey, she decided to take the challenge of the GYM8 residential in 2009. Further to this, Taylor made a decision to participate in the GYM8 expedition. This in itself posed challenges to Taylor in terms of fundraising, teamwork and self-esteem, all of which she took on and tackled with great confidence. In October last year, Taylor left for Borneo, where she was the youngest participant. With her new self-confidence, she made major strides during her 10 weeks in an incredibly challenging environment. She was commended by Expedition Manager, Mark (Mack) McCarthy for her hard work and her support of fellow participants.