If you were a Grade 12 student and had 3 minutes one on one with the State Minister for Education, Training and Employment what would you talk about? Hopefully this scenario might eventuate here in Rockhampton. With the Keppel Community Cabinet Meeting to be held in Rockhampton on September 14, RING (Rockhampton Innovative Networking Group) is hoping that the Minister, Hon John-Paul Langbroek MP might accept its request to attend its C2C (Communication to Careers) session on September 12 and a formal meeting on September 14.
Demoralising language is often used in the youth unemployment conversation; like many are not wanting to work or not trying hard enough (457 visas justified by such statements). This language undermines the seriousness and consequences of youth unemployment. Like a cloak it permits the situation where over 1 in 4 youth are unemployed, (Roy Morgan Research figures) without little sustained public outcry.
A disconnect permits this language to continue. C2C connects students with local business people. Students are not talked to, but converse with a variety of business representatives. It gives the student an opportunity to talk about their post school plans, demonstrate their willingness to get a job and find out firsthand what businesses look for. Perceptions of youth ability to communicate effectively have changed from attending a C2C session. The best way to grasp how C2C works is to attend one. Hence the request to the Minister. C2C isn’t the panacea for youth unemployment, but I believe it should be part of the treatment, thus something Government, particularly the Department of Education, Training and Employment should be aware of. Like a Community Cabinet Meeting offering the opportunity for locals to meet (connect) with Government Ministers to help them better our region. Connecting with those at the coalface (in this situation, students seeking employment opportunities) allows one to be better informed and contribute more effectively to the youth employment conversation (and solution). To find out more about the volunteer run RING and C2C visit the website www.ring.org.au.