Rivers to Ranges program connects youth to green jobs

THE new Rivers to Ranges work experience program is connecting Northern Rivers young people with green jobs and hands-on environmental employment pathways.

The initiative in Tweed, Ballina and Byron shires will run an eight-week pilot in Term 1 in 2026, designed to give young people aged 13 to 18 a direct path to purpose-driven work in the growing environmental sector.

The program aims to provide practical work experience and develop essential employability skills, connect youth with potential employers and pathways for further training and traineeships, and foster social inclusion through participation in meaningful community work.

The collaborative community effort spearheaded by RiverTracks Incorporated includes initial partners such as Tweed Landcare.

Participants will spend one day per week receiving a half-day training session from a different environmental organisation, focusing on low-risk practical skills in their daily work.

The Northern Rivers region currently faces a high youth unemployment rate, even as the environmental sector expands.

The program is aimed at this gap, supporting young people overcoming barriers such as geographic isolation and lack of practical experience.

The proposed start date for the pilot program is Term 1, 2026. RiverTracks aims for Rivers to Ranges to become a recurring seasonal program and establish paid traineeships and environmental micro-credentials recognised across the region.

RiverTracks youth program manager and program lead for Rivers to Ranges, Christopher Rowland, said the initiative enhanced environmental literacy and provided a sense of stewardship among young people.

“The program is designed for youth who are disengaged from mainstream education or seeking meaningful, purpose-driven work,” Rowland said.

River Tracks is actively seeking involvement and support from the broader community, including additional environmental organisations, local employers and businesses, and schools and TAFEs to explore future expansion opportunities.

For information, email [email protected] or visit rivertracks.org