The initiative is part of a broader 10-week challenge for the 22 vocational students, with six completing work experience on-site at Vivid Kyabram, which aims to promote Vivid to the community by designing promotional material to raise awareness of Vivid within Kyabram and Echuca .
Campaspe Cohuna LLEN Youth Take Over project officer Debbie Rogerson highlighted the importance of the program for students and Living in Campaspe Shire.
Discussion: Students, teachers and Vivid support workers gathered on Friday to discuss the weeks ahead.
“This is my second takeover, and I absolutely champion this pilot program,” she said.
“The project will cover many meaningful and tangible opportunities for the students of St Augustine’s and Vivid.
“This opportunity will also widen the students’ lens to the many and varying roles within Vivid that they may desire to pursue as a career path.”
The students will visit the Kyabram and Echuca Vivid offices, shadowing mentors to gain firsthand insight into the daily operations and services of the organization.
St Augustine’s VCE VM literacy teacher Bianca Moore was thrilled that the students could positively affect their local area while gaining invaluable experience they could carry throughout their professional lives.
“As a teacher, I am excited about the opportunity that Youth Take Over and our partnership with Vivid Kyabram will offer our young people within the VCE VM program,” she said.
“The students are all looking forward to making an impact in their local community, and I believe it is valuable for our young people to feel like the things they do make a difference.
“Affording students such opportunities in an environment that allows them to make mistakes and grow with guidance empowers them to become active citizens after school.”
The program starts with a barbecue in Kyabram on Friday before the students begin officially “taking over.”
Working together: The students will work with Vivid Kyabram participants to promote the organization to the community.
