Youth Skilling Program To Arrive At PCYC

A new Queensland Government initiative providing intensive employment and training assistance is coming to the Whitsundays courtesy of PCYC Whitsundays.

The local community organisation will facilitate the skills program Get Set For Work (GSFW) from November 14 this year at its Shute Harbour Road premises in an effort to develop youth in the Whitsundays.

The program is a state government initiative aimed at 15- to 19-year-olds who may no longer be enrolled in schooling and are struggling to find employment.

Through providing funding to non-for-profit community organisations like PCYC, Queensland Government help the institutions facilitate the training of youth to make them more employable.

Program Coordinator Scott Lynch said the 12-week program will be run at the PCYC with a Registered Training Organisation arriving from Townsville for two, weekly sessions starting in November.

Mr Lynch said participant hopefuls can send in an expression of interest application to be a part of the program.

“If they’re successful, they’ll be put through a ten-week program where they’ll attain a Certificate II in Skills For Work and Vocational Pathways, and also learn foundation skills like resume writing, job interview skills,” Mr Lynch said.

“There are also team building activities, industry visits, and a focus on improving soft skills: communication and teamwork.”

Mr Lynch has been brought into the local PCYC for the express delivery of GSFW, arriving with experience in recruitment for the resource sector, as well as a passion for helping youth achieve their potential.

“I’ve been volunteering with the Neighbourhood Centre and a lot of community groups in my time living in the Whitsundays, as well as studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health,” Mr Lynch said.

“When this role came up, it was a no brainer and a great opportunity to put my efforts to the community. I really feel like I can take this program forward and get some positive outcomes.”

PCYC Youth Club Manager and Police Sergeant Billy Li said the program has been run across the state at several other sites.

“We were selected by State Government because our Whitsunday PCYC is not only equipped for the program itself, but it is also in an area where this kind of program would be a major benefit to the community,” Sergeant Li said.

Local Formula 3 Driver Declan Coull will be undertaking a role within the program as well, acting as Youth Worker and helping Mr Lynch deliver the program.

The local sports star has been the face of Defensive Driving, as well as managing the PCYC’s Braking the Cycle program within the Whitsundays, which sees learner drivers paired with mentors to achieve their 100 hours of driving to progress to P Plates.

“I think those two programs coordinate very well together and I think because I myself am young, I can really help and have some fun with the participants along the way,” Mr Coull said.

The local PCYC will be meeting with schools and stakeholders, including HeadSpace and the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, in the coming weeks to reach out to prospective participants.

This Skilling Queenslanders for Work project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government

For more information, contact Scott Lynch at scott.lynch@pcyc.org.au

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PCYC Youth Worker Declan Coull, PCYC Youth Manager and Police Sergeant Billy Li, and Get Set For Work Program Coordinator Scott Lynch