New apprenticeship program helps Townsville young people build brighter futures

A program supporting young people to successfully start, remain engaged in and complete apprenticeships is helping remove some of the barriers that can make the transition into the workforce challenging.

The Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation (IBFF) Apprenticeship Program provides personalised mentoring and practical, wrap-around support to apprentices, school-based apprentices and trainees, as well as young people working towards employment.

The program is currently supporting 10 apprentices in Townsville, with participants working across a diverse range of industries including panel beating and spray painting, automotive mechanics, diesel fitting, building and construction, hairdressing and hospitality and commercial cooking.

Delivered locally by IBFF Townsville Apprenticeship Support Lead Belinda Toomby, the program is designed to recognise that succeeding in an apprenticeship involves more than learning a trade.

Belinda Toomby said: “Young people entering the workforce can face a range of challenges that affect their ability to remain engaged.

“These might include mental health and wellbeing concerns, a lack of confidence and self-belief, workplace communication and relationship issues, financial pressures and uncertainty about their career direction.

“Transport difficulties and barriers to obtaining a driver’s licence can also create challenges, while some young people may struggle to access appropriate health, counselling and other wellbeing services.”

The Apprenticeship Program takes a whole-person approach, providing individual mentoring and regular check-ins throughout the apprenticeship journey. Support can include workplace visits, liaison with employers, confidence and resilience coaching, goal setting and career planning.

The Foundation also works with employers, schools, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and community organisations to create a stronger support network around each apprentice.

Where appropriate, apprentices can be connected with health, counselling and community services, while practical assistance is provided to help address barriers that could otherwise affect their participation.

A key focus of the program is early intervention. By identifying issues and providing support before they become serious enough to cause an apprentice to disengage, IBFF aims to improve retention and help more young people complete their training and move into sustainable employment.

“Recognising that many young people often don’t have the confidence to ask for help is important,” Belinda said. “Obstacles like not having a laptop for school or training can be overcome, which we’ve been able to do through the generosity of organisations like LiteHaus International.“

The Foundation’s CEO and founder John Godwin, organised a meeting with a Supercar driver and his team, who came out to the workplace. The employer was absolutely ecstatic, and they also brought along a few friends who shared their passion for cars. “What really stood out to me was witnessing the generosity of a complete stranger, who offered to help with a project to build extensions to a race car track and even offered to use his own connections to help make it happen.”

The program’s success is measured through a range of outcomes, including improved apprentice retention, increased confidence and resilience, stronger workplace relationships, improved wellbeing and progression into employment and successful apprenticeship completion.

The Townsville program highlights the importance of supporting young people beyond the technical requirements of their chosen trade. By combining mentoring, wellbeing support, career planning and practical assistance with strong partnerships across employers, schools, training organisations and community services, the program aims to give apprentices the tools and support they need to build successful careers.

For Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation, supporting the whole person is central to creating better employment outcomes and helping young people overcome challenges before they become reasons to leave an apprenticeship.

The Townsville Apprenticeship Program forms part of the Foundation’s broader commitment to helping young people develop the confidence, resilience and practical support needed to build brighter futures.

To learn more or donate, visit: inspiringbrighterfutures.com
ENDS media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs 0419 828 440 [email protected]