White Box WorkFoundations Selects Inspiring Brighter Futures

Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation has been selected to be a part of the Work Foundations funded program with Queensland-based social enterprise White Box Enterprises to create job opportunities for people facing barriers to work.

The White Box To a Brighter Future (TABF) initiative is a 12-month pilot designed to transition disengaged young adults (18-24 years) from Logan, Southeast Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast into sustainable employment opportunities.

The initiative will support participants in employment placements and provide intensive employment engagement, life and work goal planning, workplace mental health strategies, confidence in professional environments, communication and workplace behaviour skills, exposure to employers and workplaces, trusted mentors or networks to guide them, and a clear understanding of employment pathways and activations.

Participants will be supported for up to six months as they progress towards long-term, sustainable employment.

The grant will enable the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation to implement its Onwards & Upwards program, which includes one-on-one mentoring and utilises its expertise in the pre-employment space, for up to 12 long-term unemployed people.

Participants, primarily long-term unemployed or under-employed young people with multiple barriers, will be recruited through Workforce Australia providers, labour hire companies and community partners, and local outreach. Each will complete a personalised skills and aspirations profile and support plan addressing mental health, housing, transport, and confidence barriers before starting training and employment.

Inspiring Brighter Futures programs manager Stewart Koplick said a core component of this program is in setting up participants for success with wrap-around support.

“Every participant’s non-vocational needs, including their self-confidence, wellbeing, and stability, are met alongside vocational goals,” Koplick said.

“As well as improved employability attributes for our participants, we are also providing employers with increased workforce diversity and improved inclusion practices. 

“We are thrilled to be selected to be a part of The Whitebox Workfoundations initiative, and build each participant’s work readiness and wellbeing in the workplace.”

IBFF founder and CEO John Godwin said: “We’re proud to be a part of the WorkFoundations program in partnership with White Box Enterprises and seven other people-first employers.

“Together, the group is creating job opportunities for people facing barriers to employment.”

White Box Foundation Collective

About Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation

Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation is a non-profit organisation working toward a vision of an inclusive community that supports young people facing challenges and emerging student leaders and job seekers to inspire a brighter future. The Foundation’s purpose is to mentor, support, and inspire people in local communities to move their lives Onwards & Upwards.

Through one-on-one mentoring, the Foundation works to inspire participants to imagine, plan, and achieve a more satisfying, balanced, and brighter future.

The Foundation plans to hold over 80 programs in 2026 in Queensland, with its more than 600 active volunteer mentors focusing on its core groups of young people facing challenges, emerging student leaders, and job seekers.

For more information, visit: inspiringbrighterfutures.com
ENDS media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs 0419 828440 [email protected]