Developing a Program
Engaging the Community
The first step in an initiative to undertake a program is to engage the Community to enable the selection of participants and provide the Community with sufficient confidence to allow a program to proceed. In many cases there are existing contacts and networks in the communities that can be drawn upon to facilitate this process.
The process of engaging the community includes:
- Use of existing service providers to advertise the program and get the word out. Potential networks may include:
- PCYC
- Youth health workers
- Schools
- Council
- CDEP
- Community elders
- Job placement networks
- Travel to community to engage them
- Make presentations to community groups highlighting the benefits of the program with slide shows of past programs
- Provide information to potential participants and parents regarding program activities
Ensure a presence in the Communities to build trust
Identify participants and local mentors
Service providers in the Communities provide a ready resource and assist in identifying participants and local mentors.
The use of local mentors is important so that the participants have a friendly known face in the background at all times. Mentors that have participated in past programs have found the experience very rewarding and the mentors themselves have learned a lot about themselves and their Community through the process.
It is important during the identification and selection process that participants are given an understanding of what the program involves, what the program is aiming to achieve and what will be expected of each individual. The management of the expectations of the participants is critical.
The program proponents reserve the right to have the final say regarding the selection of participants and mentors but the process is consultative and always determined in the best interests of the participants.
Identify and Engage Industry Partners
Industry partners are identified through networks in the local area using contacts such as:
- DEEWR
- Job Network Agencies
- Employment Agencies
- Dept Communities
- Dept Sport and Rec
- Dept Health
- Dept Education
- Dept Primary Industries
- Pastoral Companies
- Mining Companies
- Significant employers in the area
Program Planning and Delivery
A typical program for the Billabong to Beach program. Development and tailoring of the program for each group of participants is driven by the level of skills possessed by the group and the most likely sources of future employment opportunities in the local region. The basic core modules of the program remain consistent as the basis for engaging the participants.
Follow-up programs are being developed to cater for those participants that have completed the first level training program and still require structured assist training to achieve their goals. An example of a follow up program is the Billabong to Beef program. The Billabong to Beef program is designed to achieve key accreditations in beef agriculture with participants having the work and life skills and confidence to secure employment at the end of the program.
Networking with other service providers that are providing existing structured programs that may be relevant to participants provides a ready source of alternative future structured training for participants.
Employment
A key outcome of Beyond Billabong programs is the development of a situation analysis (strengths and weaknesses) for each participant and a pathway for the development of the individual. This involves encouraging and motivating the individual to collaboratively design a development path towards employment. The pathway towards employment may include further specialised training programs dedicated towards a targeted vocational outcome.
A schematic of the development of the individual.
Participants are encouraged to pursue employment opportunities in areas where they identify an interest. Areas of employment may include:
- Employment in the local community - local businesses, community councils, community service providers
- Employment in industries adjacent to the local community – pastoral, mining, tourism, local government
- Employment in industries outside the region
The employment aspirations of each individual will vary and it must be recognised that the local communities are inherently limited in the ability to provide employment opportunities. The programs ultimately need to empower participants to gain employment in a mainstream environment.
Ongoing Mentoring and Support
Our commitment to each participant is a commitment for life. Ongoing mentoring and support is offered for as long as it is needed by the individual. Support is tailored based on individual needs and may range from a simple periodical phone call through to a continuous involvement in the future structured training and/or employment activities of the participant.
Mentoring and development of individuals will be tracked in a database management system with appropriate follow-up triggers.
Beyond Billabong recognise that mentoring and support cannot be limited to the participant or employee alone. Employers of Beyond Billabong registered individuals also receive ongoing mentoring and support to assist them in dealing with the challenges faced in the employee / employer relationship.