Future proofing regional communities

Young leaders program benefits both participants & the local community

It has been running for almost 25 years and shows no signs of slowing down as an innovative program looks to continue to foster young leaders to take the Glenelg Shire community into the future. The Future Leaders Program was founded by Portland Aluminium in 2005 to order showcase the many different industries in the community, develop leadership skills in youth and to bring youth back into the community after their tertiary studies and create a workforce of inspiring leaders.

Since 2011 it has been managed by Glenelg and Southern Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network (GSGLLEN) and the coordination team consists of Natasha Kohlman (GSGLLEN), Anne Murphy (GSGLLEN) and Anna Impey (Portland Aluminium).

The Future Leaders Program, which was launched late last month for 2023, is offered in the Glenelg Shire and is offered to Year 10 and Year 11 students or equivalent at Portland Secondary College, Bayview College, Heywood and District Secondary College, The Re-Engagement Program and South West TAFE.

The program runs from April until October and students take part in a variety of events, program activities and online sessions/ workshops.

School to Work – Youth Leadership Coordinator Natasha Kohlman said the program provides an amazing opportunity for youth in our community to participate in activities that increase confidence, build transferable skills, networks, knowledge and leadership capabilities and introduces students to different career opportunities within the region.

“The program introduces students to different industries, allows opportunities for networking and challenges the way they think about the world of work,” she said.

“The program is helping to create a potential workforce and also helping to build the social capacity of our community.

“We pair students with a mentor in their field of choice to provide career guidance and provide hands on experience of their future career. One of the vital elements of the Future Leaders program are the two Mentor Days, and in turn, the relationship that is formed between the mentor and participants. Mentors have an extremely influential role in the program and on the participants.”

And while the focus is the developing of future leaders, there are definite spinoffs for the local community.

“Local businesses are able to showcase the opportunities and career pathways within their industry- which is particularly crucial at this time given significant skills shortages faced by many local businesses,” Natasha said.

The program coordinator ahs had a front row seat to just how effective the program has been and continues to be.

“I have seen a lot of growth within the students that take par,” she said. “They are more equipped to take on opportunities and challenges within the community such as employment, leadership roles and other personal development opportunities outside of the program. We have heard from students that they have developed a range of transferable skills that they can utilise in school, work and personal life. Students have stated that they developed more confidence and have furthered their skills in leadership and team building, problem solving, time management, organisation, employability and public speaking.”

Students that have been through the program report having a better understanding of what career they would like to pursue and that it has opened their eyes to the wide range of careers that they may not have even been aware of or considered in the future. There is also an increased awareness and understanding of the many different educational and career pathways they can follow and that they are not subject to one career for the rest of their lives.