A week after participants graduated from the South Coast PCYC Fit 4 Work program and some have already successfully secured full- and part-time employment while others were motivated to complete their high school studies.
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Proud families, teachers, and facilitators watched the 10 F4W participants graduate at Mackay Park on April 1, after prominent Yuin Elder Bindarray conducted a smoking ceremony.
Senior constable and youth case manager at the South Coast PCYC Greg Curry said it was a special day for the participants and their families.
"There's already been some good outcomes from the program, with one participant securing full-time work with a flooring business in Batemans Bay and others securing part-time work in construction or lining up some work experience," Mr Curry said.
"This is the first time this program has been run in the Eurobodalla Shire, and for some of these kids who were completely disengaged from school before, to have now completed the 10-week program and have these outcomes, it's fantastic."
This term the program's theme was construction, and upon graduation participants had obtained their white cards, first aid certificates and learned basic construction skills.
While all 10 participants this term were boys, Mr Curry said the next program to be run later this year would focus on tourism and hospitality and hoped teenage girls would be encouraged to apply.
"It's really motivating for the kids to see that the program works and they can secure work after it, because if their mates can do it, there's no reason why they can't too," he said.
The PCYC will continue to support the participants for the next 12 months and beyond until all have found employment.