A Beacon that lights the way for Australian Youth
Today I was privileged enough to speak at the Beacon Foundation’s QLD State Conference.
The Beacon Foundation http://www.beaconfoundation.net/ has a very simple strategy for youth in Australia.
They work directly with schools to educate / help students get into further education but ultimately real jobs.
Their NO Dole program is exceptional and has been running now for 12 years and is an example of how businesses, people and private industry have the power to improve the lives of others.
I was invited to speak because Ireckon has been providing services and assistance to Beacon for 5 years, and the segment I attended was how the schools could engage and interact with businesses better. Other speaks included Dean from Merlo Coffee, and Troy and Lucy from Treasury Casino.
One of the keys to Beacons success is the amazing enthusiasm from the relevant teachers at each school who have not only added the programs to their already busy lives but truly seem to care how their students turn out. What is obvious is the need for more business people to help. There is of course for many an implied benefit, access to young people and guiding them in their future careers, in a time of staff shortages.
For Ireckon our involvement until recently has been more of a donation, but in the past year or so we have commenced providing Work experience and teacher training days which are useful for us and the participants (well we hope so anyway).
If you are reading this and are in business in Australia, particularly in more rural or distant communities, but even in major cities, there are more than 80 schools who could do with your help. Everyone is focused on GREEN and CARBON credits etc, and I agree there is a lot needed in that area. But something you can do today for an immediate impact is to help 1 young person learn about work, choose a career, or give them work!
Ireckon that is plain easy! Contact us or Beacon to offe ryour help, it can be short periods of time to talk to students, work experience, training, all sorts of assistance.
It’s an investment in Australia!
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I was at that conference and was impressed by you and your companies enthusiasm and committment to helping our young people. I particularly enjoyed your story about young Sammy and how he was also able to show your staff a few things. So to me this was a double learning and helping opportunity and I’m sure Sammy walked away feeling truly inspired, motivated and with alot more self esteem about his future.
Well done and thank you for inspiring me to want get involved with this wonderful program.
Comment by Debbie Miscamble — December 6, 2007 @ 11:40 am