Young people in custody at Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre at Kariong were given the opportunity to learn new skills to help them transition back into the community thanks to the Try a Trade program, jointly run by Youth Justice NSW and Training Services NSW on October 17.
The program allows the young people to try a range of trades including bricklaying, plastering, barbering, mechanics, carpentry, warehousing and plumbing.
Local businesses such as Colonial Painting and Decorating Service at Gosford have volunteered to teach participants plastering and painting to build connections with a potential new workforce.
The Frank Baxter session on October 17 followed successful Try a Trade days at Cobham Youth Justice Centre and the Riverina Youth Justice Centre, which resulted in 10 young people gaining employment in their chosen pathway.
Two young people have commenced apprenticeships, and more than 30 have identified a set trade as a career option when they hadn’t previously done so.
Try a Trade days will be run across all six Youth Justice Centres around the state throughout the remainder of 2023.
These are in addition to the skills and trades programs already running in Youth Justice Centres.
Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib said the focus was on supporting young people to transition from custody back into the community.
“The Try a Trade days not only allow young people to sample a few trade options and learn some new skills, but they also help them build community connections and links that will still be there when they leave custody,” he said.
“This is a great initiative because it finds a way to upskill young people for their reintegration into community, and the success stories we have heard so far show it is working.”
Source:
Communities and Justice