A NEW mentoring program has been launched aimed at creating pathways into employment for at-risk young people.<\/p>\n
Known as GROW Bendigo, the program is facilitated by Be.Bendigo and supported by the City of Greater Bendigo\u2019s youth team and will see a group of adolescents paired with a mentor from businesses in the region.<\/p>\n
YO Bendigo youth engagement officer David Buckfield said the team initially reached out to students at development and alternative schools such as Kalianna, NETschool and Indie College.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the young people have left the house half a dozen times this year, so for them to attend a monthly mentor meeting is huge,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Buckfield said mentor partnerships were tailored to the individual, meaning someone more interested in arts would be paired with a professional from a creative industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest and best outcome is the young person maintains that relationship and then they\u2019ve got another confidant or trusted adult in their life they can refer to and maybe even use as a reference for a job application,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
GROW project coordinator Petra McLoughlin said mentors were selected for their life and work experience and will provide advice and encouragement through six monthly catchups.<\/p>\n
\u201cProviding youth with access to a more mature mentor who has already navigated that transition [to the workforce], will help them separate their fears from reality and take a positive step forward,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has nine mentors involved in the program, including regional manager of agribusiness at Rural Bank, Donna Slevin.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think regardless of where you\u2019ve come from in society, everybody needs a mentor at some stage in their life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis program really aligns with the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank values\u2026 and I hope to see double [the employees] in years to come so more people are getting involved and we\u2019re helping more young people.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A NEW mentoring program has been launched aimed at creating pathways into employment for at-risk young people. Known as GROW Bendigo, the program is facilitated by Be.Bendigo and supported by the City of Greater Bendigo\u2019s youth team and will see a group of adolescents paired with a mentor from businesses in the region. YO Bendigo […]<\/p>\n