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The young people had the opportunity to tell the Minister something of their story and it was a very meaningful and useful exchange. We look forward to hearing more from Minister West. Photo of the visit - Marie Andrews far left, Minister West top right, Wilhelm Trappe Connectors Manager centre front, Paula Dawson Connectors Assistant Coordinator and several of the Connectors clients.
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Thank you to The Central Coast Community Chest for your generous donation of $880 for youthconnections.com.au to purchase a computer and software. Their generosity has allowed us to continue to improve and provide a quality service and environment for those in our community most at need - our disengaged young people.
We look forward to continuing our great association with the Chest during 2009.
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Nominations are invited from individuals aged less than 35 years on 1st January 2008. Individuals nominating for the 2008 Award will be required to demonstrate their leadership, initiative, creativity and dedication in an application for the Award supported by two proposers.
For further information contact Adam Elhindi on (02) 4921 7454 or email adam.elhindi@newcastle.edu.au. Alternatively, go to the website www.leadershipaward.com.au to download a copy of the nomination form. Nominations close Monday 3rd November. |
Hospitality students from 5 Central Coast high schools took part in a series of cook-offs during the recent Flora Festival. Organised by
youthconnections.com.au and Terrigal's Cowrie Restaurant, the competition was aimed to help yooung people access training and employment
in the hospitality industry.
The winning team above from Green Point Christian Wade Hulme and Michael Calgagno from MacKillop Catholic College
College assisted by Cowrie Head Chef, Mark
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Ryan has been with YC Industry Link group training company for the past year and loves his job. Ryan says his host employer, Dave Anderson Align Bricklaying,
gives him good guidance to ensure he's working to the best of his ability. When Ryan is asked what he'd tell other young people thinking about taking up
bricklaying, he says "you have to be able to work hard, be physically fit and strong and take a bit of friendly "stick" from your co-workers". Once Ryan has
finshed his apprenticeship he's hoping to start his own bricklaying business.
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A capacity crowd of students, supporters, school representatives, employers and VIP's attended this year's event held at Central Coast Leagues Club.
Congratulations to the 2008 VET Student of the Year, Joshua Taylor from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, The Entrance Campus. Joshua excelled in both Construction and Metals & Engineering subjects. He has already been offered a 1st Yr Apprenticeship with Steel Works Engineerin starting in December. Well done Josh!
A big thankyou to the sponsors of this year's event: Business Central Coast, Dept Education & Training, TAFE NSW Hunter Inst., Central Coast Leagues Club, YC Industry Link, Catholic Schools Office, Broken Bay Diocese, Gosford Chamber of Commerce, Erina Chamber of Commerce, lend Lease Erina Fair, Organise Internet, 104.5 Star FM and of course hosted by youthconnections.com.au
 VET Student of the Year, Joshua Taylor
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Youth Connections recently hosted a visit from counterparts from the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. Peace Wong and her colleagues enjoyed a luncheon at our Connectors program premises in Gosford and met with our staff and clients. It seems there are many parallels between us in terms of clientele and service needs - young people experience the same issues the world over.
Peace and her colleagues presenting a commemorative banner to Maggie MacFie and Marcus Watson
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| This volunteer group designs and constructs aids from recycled materials for people with disabilities to enhance their independence. They have plenty of volunteers but need more clients to provide their equipment to!! To find out more, contact them on P: 4341 2572 or E: wwwtechnicalaidnsw.org.au |
2 great days - 8th and 15th July. See details in attached flyers.
Tuesday July 8th - Download
Tuesday July 15th - Download
Get in quick as places are limited!
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Scholarships are available for young people in Year 10 who are living in Social Housing to attend Year 11. You can download
all the information here. If you would like assistance filling out the forms or if you would like to discuss it, please contact
Catherine Serventy, Learning & Employment Coordinator with Gosford City Council on (02) 4323 5281 or mob 0419 466 928
Download information sheet - Download
Download application form - Download
Download guide - Download
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1ST AUGUST 2008 |
The Tech Girls event consisted of demonstration zones providing year 8, 9 and 10 students with the opportunity to experience first hand the many practical applications available in the information technology industry. These workshops consisted of exercises in computer applications such as web design, desktop publishing and technical support. Tech Girls is designed to provide innovation and empowerment to young women to pursue careers in the science and technology field. Fourteen schools with 200 female students participated in this event across the Central Coast Region.
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Results of the 2 day event as follows:
Year 12 winners were Kincumber High School in all events: Visual Merchandising, Gift Wrapping & Cash Register
Year 11 winners were: Henry Kendall High - Visual Merchandising
Brisbane Waters Secondary College, Woy Woy Campus - Cash Register
St Edward's Catholic College - Aisle Tidy
Wadalba Community School - Make a Model
Youth Connections Inc. appreciates the support of the following retailers allowing students into their stores to participate in the
Visual Merchandising of their windows:
Andrew John * Autograph * Bloch * Cotton On Kids * Free People * Katies * Little's Surf Centre * Miller's Fashion *
Mirage Designs * My Size * Portmans * Roger David * Lorna Jane * Tree of Life - and Woolworths for Aisle Maintenance
Here's some photos of the winning Kincumber High Year 12 team for Visual Merchandising
Thank you to our generous sponsors for the event:
Dept. of Education & Training * VET in Schools Directorate * Lend Lease, Erina Fair * Central Coast Business Review * MacDonalds * Star 104.5 FM * Boost Juice Bars
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The Beachcomber Resort at Toukley played host to 24 senior secondary students from St. Peters Catholic College, Northlakes High and Gorokan High schools throughout the week beginning Monday, 12th May through to Friday, 16th May, 2008. Youth Connections Inc. through its Adopt A School Program co-ordinated the event. The aim of the program is to encourage businesses to work with schools to give young people hands-on learning experiences to develop their understanding of work and employability skills. Students undertaking vocational subjects in Hospitality, Business Services, Entertainment and Construction participated in this event under the close supervision of Manager, Andrew Beggs and Head Chef, John Daniels. Manager, Andrew Biggs was quoted as saying “he really enjoyed the enthusiasm of these young people and will now be looking at employment opportunities when these students finish school”.
A “graduation evening” was conducted towards the end of their work placement where students were given the chance to showcase the many new skills they learnt during that week. An audience of Careers Advisors, VET Co-ordinators, parents, and local industries were given the opportunity to enjoy an evening of fine food and entertainment. Hospitality student, Brooke Noorbergen, was quoted as saying “the experience gave her a lot more confidence in her ability” when presented with her Certificate of Participation. Head Chef of the Beachcomber Resort, John Daniels, said he is always on the “look out” for emerging talent who can complement the team of dedicated staff that continue to make the Beachcomber a successful venue.
Youth Connections Inc. would like to thank The Beachcomber Resort for kindly opening its doors and embracing these young people by giving them a real “hands on” experience of industry and market place expectations. Due to its success, The Beachcomber Resort plan to make this event a regular occurrence enabling young people the exposure to industry expectations and ongoing training.
  
The Girls from St Peters John Daniels All 24 Students
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Jim Kyle, coordinator of Youth Connection's Koori Connect program, won the award for Contribution to Aboriginal Education. Through his work with Koori youngsters at risk, Jimmy has linked many young people here tonight into TAFE and encouraged them to further their education through vocational education pathways. Equally important is the promotion and establishment of a sense of respect for Aboriginal culture within these young people. Well done Jimmy.
Also receiving recognition for their achievements at the awards night were three young people Jim works with. A little about their stories:
Adam Winsor participated in the TAFE Aboriginal Leadership and Mentoring Program and took on the role of mentor at the Deadly Young Indigenous Surfing event. He was one of a number of young Koori youth selected to represent his community at the "Sorry Day" presentation in Canberra as a VIP guest of local MP, Belinda Neal. Adam is now focused on engaging in culural and educaton based programs 5 days a week and has completed the Aboriginal Land and Conservation Management Program Cert II. Additionally he is participating in a Welding Course through the Indigenous Unit at TAFE. Adam's hard work in developing real skills are setting him up for future training and employment.
Tegan Coward was also recognised at the awards night for her participation in the Aboriginal Leadership and Mentoring Program. Through her contact with Koori Connect, Tegan is now a member of the local Aboriginal Women's group and works passionately in the community. Tegan is now focused on engaging in cultural and education based programs 5 days a week - attending the Aboriginal Land & Conservation Management Program Cert II and doing work experience at the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association Dance College.
Kyal Flanders also received an award for his efforts to re-engage in school and complete his senior years schooling. Well done Kyal.
Some photos of the night:
  
Jimmy Kyle Adam Winsor Kyal Flanders
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The aim of the day was to expose young people to skills shortage areas within the Central Coast Region by providing interactive and hands-on activities in a variety of trade areas. 200 students from 12 Central Coast schools participated in the event and industries represented on the day included: Signcraft, Bricklaying, Electrical, Panel beating, Welding, Hospitality, Mechanical, Construction, Entertainment, Spraypainting, Concreting, Plumbing and Painting & Decorating. Youth Connections would like acknowledge Ed McCarthy from Handbrake Turn for providing the venue at no cost, as well as a heartfelt thank you to all the “tradies” who provided their expertise and materials free of charge! See some pics of the activities:
   
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Books are $60 each - just a few of the movie vouchers alone will pay for it!! To order your book or find out more about it, contact Nikki Szabo on 4322 8600 or email nikki@youthconnections.com.au |
Just like 1500 other students across the Central Coast studying Vocational Education and Training (VET) Subjects for their HSC, Erin Whittaker Holt, was given the opportunity to complete a one week work placement.
From the day the bright young Hospitality student from Terrigal High School selected to attend local business Lizotte’s, she hasn’t looked back.
After a successful week’s placement, her host employer Brian Lizotte was so impressed with her passion and enthusiasm he offered Erin a part time waitressing position, which she readily accepted and continued throughout her HSC year.
Her dedication to Hospitality also followed through in the classroom and saw her nominated by her teacher in this competitive category for the 2007 Vocational Education & Training Awards. This night of nights for VET students, their parents, teachers, and the local employers who support them, saw Erin take out the overall award for Hospitality – Food & Beverage student of the year.
“The fist thing I did was call Brian” Erin said “He was so happy for me and all the staff had a card and gift waiting when I returned to work.”
Since completing her HSC in December 2007, Brian approached Erin about a more permanent role within the charismatic Avoca based business where she now has taken on a full time role involving promotions, marketing, and personal assistant duties.
Erin agrees studying Hospitality at school and the opportunity to complete a work placement has given her a definite advantage. “I’ve learnt so much from Brian. I just feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity and for everything that’s followed.”
Brian Lizotte continues to support Work Placement students on a regular basis.
He not only realises the importance for the students, but also sees the benefit to local business, as industry is provided with additional assistance for no cost and a pool of potential future employees to choose from.
Youth Connections Inc. Coordinate over 3000 work placements for Yr 11 and 12 students across the Central Coast every year.
If you are interested in hosting a student for Structured Work Placement please contact
Marilyn White at Youth Connections Inc. on (02) 4322 8600 |
Gillian Calvert, from the Commission for Children & Young People made a visit to The Central Coast last Thursday and made a bee-line for Youth Connections to get a look first hand at the needs of our young people.
Her visit was at the instigation of Member for Gosford, Marie Andrews who accompanied her to the Youth Connections annex and met with our staff and clients for an afternoon tea. Ms Calvert said "we're here to listen and learn from these kids. Our aim is to relay the information we gather today to the relevant decision makers in the community, making sure their voices are heard".
To find out more about the Commission visit their site on:www.kids.nsw.gov.au
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Jimmy Kyle took 11 Koori Connect kids down to Parliament House to be part of this important step towards reconciliation between Aboriginal Australians and the rest of the Australian community. The kids travelled down by mini bus the day before and stayed at a backpackers overnight - there wasn't much sleep had that night! Local MP, Belinda Neal, met our kids last week to wish them well and hosted a tour of Parliament House on the day. Our kids were lucky enough to be invited to take part in a flag presentation ceremony after the actual announcement.
What a memorable day (and night) for these guys - they all said is was "awesome" and will take this experience back home to their families. We were really proud of them for their behaviour and enthusiasm throughout the trip. Thanks also to Youth Connections staffers Jimmy, Madelaine and Pete for their efforts looking after the kids - great effort guys.
YC General Manager Maggie MacFie, Managment Committee Chair, Sharryn Brownlee and staffer Claudia also travelled down and managed to get in to the great hall for the announcement - but probably should have stayed out on the lawn with the kids and large crowds - they had much more fun down there! |
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Local Community Partnership
