Caleb – From a traineeship to an apprenticeship and Changing Lives

Caleb is an example of the transformation that is possible through the power of mentoring, where young people can understand their values, be supported, set goals and experience a corresponding increase in self-confidence, and then go about building a better future for themselves and their loved ones.

Caleb undertook a Skilling Queenslanders for Work traineeship with yourtown at the Beenleigh Historical Village in March 2021 and participated in the Inspiring Brighter Future Foundation’s Onwards & Upwards Pathways Wellbeing Mentoring program.

His mentor at the start of the program was Jacob Lawrence, a physiotherapist at one of the Foundation’s corporate partners, Healthia. Caleb’s life has transformed, and he is now a trainer at yourtown, working with young people who have challenges and are seeking employment.

“I came from a broken home, in and out of foster care with both parents addicted to drugs,” Caleb said.

“Onwards & Upwards provided a great sense of belonging, and a welcome, and created a sense of family.”

The success of these programs is seen in the fact that Caleb has become the first person in two generations of his family to gain employment and has influenced his two younger siblings to also secure jobs.

Mentor Jacob Lawrence said, “Caleb was one of six children. When I met him, he was quiet, very reserved, and untrusting of adults, like many of the young people are, but we connected through him talking about his siblings. Him expressing what he wanted to do for his siblings in helping look after them brought him out of himself.

“In our mentoring sessions, we were able to turn the narrative away from just his situation to how he wanted to help his siblings, and it changed his whole outlook on life.”

Foundation chairman John Godwin said that Caleb then went from a traineeship to an apprenticeship, building houses for those who didn’t have homes by those who didn’t have jobs.

“Caleb’s next two siblings have finished school, one is an apprentice mechanic, and his sister has entered the air force. His purpose became people-related, focusing on his values, and that changed his whole outlook in life,” Godwin said.

The Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation is conducting over 80 programs in 2025, focusing on its core groups of young people facing challenges, emerging student leaders, and job seekers.

ENDS media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs 0419 828440 [email protected]