“Business has an obligation to the community to support our young people’s transition into the workforce”. This quote by Joseph Healy, NAB Group Executive Business Banking is on a ‘Work Inspiration’ flyer. Yesterday 19 business people took 2 hours out of their work day fulfilling part of this obligation. Through Rockhampton Innovative Networking Group’s (RING) C2C (Communication to Careers) 35 year 12 Emmaus College students talked about their post school plans and heeded advise offered by the business representatives. This is one simple way to support young people’s transition into the workforce. Work Inspirations is another. Basically introducing youth to a workplace and inspiring them with the opportunities and rewards it offers. For example without exposure to Aged Care how many school leavers would consider a career in this sector? Arguably not many, however, along with disability care, in the near future it will be looking to fill thousands of positions. Exposing students to the industry, listening to employees talk about their career – the personal satisfaction they gain, it opens the student’s eyes to the possibilities, contributes to addressing work force needs and youth employment. A logical and sensible course of action, but Work Inspirations doesn’t happen with a click of the fingers. It’s bringing together the industry, schools, training providers; in this actual local instance 6 partner organisations are to be involved. YouthInvest facilitated this partnership; Emmaus College grade 11 students are currently learning about career opportunities in the aged care sector. YouthInvest is facilitating cross-sector partnerships throughout Central Queensland in many industry sectors, but its Commonwealth funding ceases at the year’s end. The award winning Alternate Learning Spaces is another project where YouthInvest was able to facilitate partnerships to make this unconventional education means successful. As stated these projects are logical but need a partnership broker to make them happen and sustainable. As a community we should be vocal in support of groups that are having a positive impact on youth employment and if possible be prepared to support young people’s transition into the workforce. On July 21st C2C will be having conversations with around 100 students. We need around 45 business representatives to effectively do this. To register your support visit www.ring.org.au/c2c.