Media Release: Cowboys Community Foundation kicking goals for employment prospects

Share This Post

Cowboys Community Foundation kicking goals for employment prospects
 
Cowboys Community Foundation will help young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women into the workforce with a new program to prepare them for life after school.
 
The Education for Purpose & Empowerment Project has been made possible with a $70,200 Federal Government grant, and will be run for students at the NRL Cowboys House Girls Campus by the Foundation in partnership with BNI North Queensland.
 
The aim is to prepare the year 10-12 students for work, build their knowledge of employment opportunities, develop knowledge and skills about work and workplaces and bring together community and local businesses.

Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the project was an important initiative as part of the National Careers Institute Partnership Grants program.
 
“One of the most important things we can do for young people who are transitioning into adult life, and set them up for success, is give them the skills to get a job,” Mr Thompson said.
 
“The Cowboys Community Foundation already does a fantastic job supporting young people from remote communities in North Queensland get the best education possible, and this will add an important tool in the toolbox to empower young women to find employment that suits their interests and passions.”
 
NRL Cowboys House Transitions Team staff will work with local community, Elders and family members from the remote and very remote locations where students are from and local business people to create a series of supportive and culturally-safe conversations, workshops, experiences for the young women.
 
Cowboys Community Foundation Director Fiona Pelling said the funding will be used to develop the Education for Purpose & Empowerment Project, complementing the current education and wraparound support programs offered at NRL Cowboys House Girls Campus.
 
“We’re thrilled to have been successful in securing a National Careers Institute Partnership Grant, with the support of the Australian Government. 
 
“The Education for Purpose & Empowerment Project at NRL Cowboys House will support female students in Years 10-12 in preparing for work, building their knowledge of employment opportunities and developing knowledge and skills about work and workplaces.
 
“It will also bring together community and local businesses, and we’re looking forward to working with our project partner, BNI North Queensland, to create opportunities for our students and the participating organisations.”
 
BNI is a global referral-based network, with the North Queensland chapter to work closely with its member businesses to highlight and improve knowledge and understanding of the many barriers to employment the young women of NRL Cowboys House often face.
 
“As part of this partnership, BNI North Queensland will provide local business advisory support, offering program participants mentoring, traineeships, work experience and business networking opportunities through our member organisations,” Bernie Hock, BNI North Queensland franchise owner said.
 
NRL Cowboys House opened in 2017 and provides supported accommodation for 104 young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from some of North Queensland’s most remote and educationally disadvantaged communities, enabling them to access quality secondary education opportunities in Townsville.

ENDS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best