A Youth Advisory Group scheme is about to be expanded, offering training and skills development to young people, following the success of a pilot group. Under the scheme, around 12 to 15 young people aged 15 to 19 are selected to undertake training in three specific areas.
The aim is for them to gain knowledge which will enable them to give something to the community as well as gain skills and training to help with future career choices. For Council and the Maroondah community, the Group provides a valuable resource for finding out about the concerns and views of young people.
Members of the group study for 10 to 12 weeks at TAFE in two streams, one of which they all complete called Ausmusic. In this, they learn how to run an entertainment event. A second course offers study in either hospitality, audio visual training or marketing and promotion.
The Croydon Entertainment Centre is available to put into practice what the Group has learned, by staging events on alternate Friday nights. The result is entertainment provided for young people that has been designed, promoted and staged by young people.
Youth Program Worker, Lisa Rhodes, said it offers young people the chance to stage events they are interested in.
“The program gives youth a voice, because even though youth workers are often young themselves, it is easy to lose touch with what is happening among youth,” she said. “Fads change every six months.
“In many ways, participants represent all young people in the community and are often asked to help in other areas, such as when Women’s Health East asked if some of the group would like to be involved in the Women’s Festival.
“On that occasion they were asked for their opinions about bands to appear in the event as well as being asked to act as models in a catwalk parade.”
The scheme provides community access to youth views. It also gives young people the chance to voice their concerns through Youth Officers where they can request advocacy on a wide range of issues that affect them.
For further information contact Lisa Rhodes, telephone (03) 9871 0379.
