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Josh joins Council advocacy campaign

Youth advocate Josh Baker project will engage young people who are currently studying Year 12 and want to go to University or TAFE in Melbourne next year.

By Portal Admin - 3rd June 2018 - Back to News

With construction of the new Wonthaggi Secondary College Campus and a High Ball Stadium on the go, opportunities for Bass Coast youth have never been better, and youth advocate Josh Baker is determined to build on this.

Twenty three year old Josh has recently been selected to participate in the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria’s Youth Activator Program. The seven-month program aims to build skills, networks and opportunities for its young participants in political advocacy and campaigning.

Josh’s application detailed a project to support Bass Coast youth who wish to study at TAFE or University in Melbourne after completing Year 12.

Josh explained that young people from rural Victoria are often disadvantaged because they lack the support networks, the confidence and the skills to navigate living away from home, and particularly in Melbourne.

"The project will engage young people who are currently studying Year 12 and want to go to University or TAFE in Melbourne next year," Josh said.

"It will focus on helping them with a smooth transition to University or TAFE, by developing support networks, building practical skills, basic hospitality training and tools to equip them to live and work in Melbourne."

"Participants will be equipped with basic work skills to find employment, they will have developed a network of other young people living in Melbourne and they’ll feel comfortable navigating their way around the city," he said.

Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield met with Josh last week, to hear more about the Youth Activator program and to discuss Josh’s youth advocacy project.

"Josh works closely with many of the Bass Coast youth service providers and I was just so impressed with his passion and determination to improve education and training outcomes for young people," Cr Rothfield said.

"This dovetails perfectly with Council’s advocacy priorirties to improve access to tertiary education.

"We’re looking forward to working with Josh to advocate for better access, support and opportunities for Bass Coast youth to access tertiary education."


Josh chats with the Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, and Council’s Senior Advocacy Officer, Nina Barry-McCauley, about advocating for a smoother transition to TAFE and University

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com