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Words: Pauline Whitely
Photos: Clontarf staff
November 6th, 2009
CLONTARF IN TRAINING LAUNCHED
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The Clontarf Foundation has been actively engaging and supporting young Indigenous men in education for ten years. Previously, few Indigenous students completed Year 12. Now wherever there is a Clontarf Foundation academy working in partnership with a school, Year 12 graduation has become the expectation, not the exception.
67 young men from nine different academies in Western Australia gathered together recently for the annual Clontarf Foundation ‘Leaving for Work Camp’. As its name implies, the camp celebrates the boy’s successful completion of school and introduces them to the world of employment and training.
Last years economic downturn highlighted to many industries the need to continue investing in ‘employment based training’ to create a skilled workforce for the future.
In light of this the Clontarf Foundation expanded their relationship with Swan TAFE to create the ‘Clontarf in Training’ program. This Indigenous Training Support pilot program is funded by the Departments of Training and Workforce Development and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
The ‘Clontarf in Training’ program includes three phases.
Leaving for Work Camp
The first is the ‘Leaving for Work Camp’ which introduces Academy graduates to people and places they can possibly work and study. The boys also visited BKI, located at the old Sister Kates site in Queens Park, Perth, where they visited hostel accommodation undergoing renovation for residency next year.
Approximately fifteen graduates indicated their intention to hostel at BKI whilst undertaking apprenticeships or traineeships, attending Swan TAFE and for many playing football.
Relationships are the fundamental principals which the Clontarf Foundation has built its program. This principal underpins the Clontarf employment and training strategy.
The Foundation gains significant financial support from both State and Federal Governments and also from the corporate sector. It is Clontarf’s relationship with these organizations which generates employment pathways for many academy graduates.
20 companies participated in the ‘Leaving for Work’ activities including site visits to many workplaces and Swan TAFE.
Ausco site visit
Water Corporation site visit
Sense of Place - Academy room at Swan TAFE
Site visit - Workshops at Swan TAFE
A highlight of the camp was the ‘Industry Work Shop’. 67 boys and their academy mentors sat down with representatives from a range of industries. The discussions arose real employment based training opportunities available to Clontarf graduates after leaving school.
Industry workshop
Many expressions of employment interest were gathered over the course of the Industry workshop discussions. Clontarf Employment and Training staff developed individual employment plans for each student in attendance to ensure the experience generates a real pathway into supported employment based training.
Clearly the Clontarf Foundation is about much more than football. However, football is a powerful tool for engagement and the vast majority of academy members are passionate about the game and many are very talented.
The Year 12 Leavers played their final game wearing the Clontarf colours in a scratch match on a perfect spring afternoon on Clontarf Oval!
Playing for Clontarf – one last time!
The Leaving for Work Camp provides the transition support that enables academy graduates from all over Western Australia (WA) to explore opportunities available to them once they have left school and embark upon the world of training and employment.
Whilst some boys plan a return to regional or remote WA to work, others, particularly those that are keen to pursue a football career, are seeking to live and work in the city.
Getting Ready for Work
The second phase titled ‘Getting Ready for Work’ includes a week long residential program to be held in early January.
The program involves interview preparation and interviews; accessing income support; work site visits; TAFE visits; signing up for apprenticeship or traineeship or a TAFE pre apprenticeship; participation in a defensive driving program; application support for hostelling accommodation and participation in preseason training!
The Clontarf in Training – Getting Ready for Work program already has 20 applicants and many more expressions of interest.
The young men successful in gaining an apprenticeship or traineeship or who study full time at TAFE will become part of the third phase of the Clontarf in Training program. This phase ensures they have Clontarf style mentoring support whilst they undertake training during 2010.
During the Leaving for Work Camp many exciting and realistic plans were made for the future. The goal of completing Year 12 had been achieved and is worthy of considerable celebration. The ‘Leaving for Work’ Dinner provided a great opportunity for this.
Hosted by Swan TAFE in the college’s ‘Pines’ training restaurant, 130 people including graduating students, dignitaries and supporters from government and industry, board members and staff from Clontarf Foundation and Swan TAFE all enjoyed a magnificent evening of fine food, great service and inspiring company.
Fine dining – fine company
Department of Education Director of Participation Mr Peter Jones presented ‘Leaving for Work’ Certificates to all the Year 12 Leavers.
Congratulations to all the WA graduates who are leaving school are preparing for training and employment!
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