Here at Career Links, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. Our YAKKA program is designed to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Years 7 to 12 with the resources and skills needed to assist them in making their career choices. Students work with a YAKKA mentor who supports students to create the tools needed for success.
The program comprises three core steps: Reflection, Exploration and Planning. Students reflect on their strengths, interests, values and attributes, which provides an insight and purposeful planning that aligns with their personal and career goals. During the exploration stage students look at career pathways and opportunities, vocational education, traineeships and apprenticeships. They also complete a resume, learn about WH&S and job search skills techniques. YAKKA also offers the opportunity to assist with work experience and YAKKA immersion industry days allowing students an insight into various industries. The final planning stage maps out key steps in a career action plan through goal setting. The YAKKA mentor meets with each student one to one to help finalise the student’s career action plan.
This September, students from a number of local schools participated in two YAKKA Industry Immersion Days. The first was held at Kmart and Target at Glendale Shopping Centre. Students from Callaghan College Jesmond, Toronto High School and Alesco Senior College Charlestown were invited by the Kmart and Target team comprising of Emily Betts – National Indigenous Employment Manager, Ellen Hughes – Indigenous Employment Advisor NSW/ACT and Kevin Bloomfield – First Nations Program Manager to the Immersion Day. The students toured the facilities, met with the managers and departmental heads who provided information about the type of work that is undertaken in the industry and an overview of pathway opportunities within the company.
“Students had the opportunity to speak with Indigenous guest speakers National Managers Emily Betts and Kevin Bloomfield who are supported by Indigenous Employment Advisor Ellen Hughes,” said Kerri Sadler, YAKKA Program Coordinator.
“They were able to speak about their personal journeys, challenges faced and how they overcome their personal barriers. They gave them an understanding of the departments across Kmart and Target, pathway opportunities and career progression across companies. The Manager from Kmart Kotara also attended the day and provided students with an opportunity for interviews at her store. Students were amazed by the opportunities the company could provide including Retail, Business, Stores, IT, Marketing, Security, Finance, Administration and with the opportunities to travel and work overseas.”
The second Immersion Day was held at Belmont Hospital through Healthshare. Students from Swansea High School and Aboriginal Education Officer Rachael Bromfield were invited by Vickie Dick – Hospital Services Acting Manager, to take a behind the scenes tour of the hospital services at Belmont Hospital and were provided an overview of the pathway opportunities available through Healthshare. Industries included kitchen operations, laundry, cleaning and stores. YAKKA students have the opportunity to undertake work experience with the possibility of casual employment upon completion. Staff from different departments provided students with detailed information on their positions and discussed their journeys and progression with Healthshare.
“Speaking with staff at Belmont Hospital gave students the understanding that pathways in hospitals are not just frontline staff such as Doctors and Nurses. Students learnt they can ‘make a difference’ through other services available in the hospital such as kitchen operations, cleaning, stores, administration, and laundry. Students learnt that working in pathways behind the scenes also allows employees to have patient contact such as providing services of taking patient meal orders and delivery of their food to the wards.”
“Both Immersion Days were highly successful with the students not only enjoying the experience but also learning about pathways they had no idea existed, opportunities that opened their eyes to new possibilities. As a YAKKA Mentor, there is nothing more satisfying than helping our students create their future.”
