BUSY At Work Southport, Gold Coast today announced it was named the winner of the National Youth Employment Award for its innovative R U BUSY? Program. The Employment Awards were held last night at the Diamond Head Room at QT Hotel, Gold Coast during the Australian Long Term Unemployment Conference.
The Employment Awards aim to recognise, raise awareness and promote the benefits of employing at risk groups including disability, mature age, youth, Indigenous and regional unemployed.
The R U BUSY? program is a 12 week course aimed at youth aged 17-19 who have left school early. The course is taught in a way that identifies and addresses each participant’s needs and best method of learning.
BUSY At Work CEO, Paul Miles said he was delighted for the program to receive national recognition.
“I’m very honoured for BUSY to receive this award for our R U BUSY? program which has made real and significant differences for many young lives over the past few years. This year alone we have helped 30 young vulnerable people get on track toward gainful employment”.
Participants in the R U BUSY? program can come with a vast range of barriers such as mental health, alcohol and drug issues, homelessness, living in domestic violence situations, generational unemployment and very low language, literature and numeracy skills as well as disabilities.
“The main aim of this program is for the participants to gain employment, and therefore teaches the young people the value of a good work ethic,” Mr Miles said.
The program also trains in assisting the participants in gaining life skills. These include incorporating activities, healthy cooking and sexual health education in the program.
After completing the program these important life skills help the participants make better life choices. This in turn often helps them to get on the road to better living conditions, enabling them to engage in the community in a positive way.
“This is a proud moment for BUSY to reflect about the work we do. Not only do all of our programs aim to improve the lives of Australians through apprenticeships, employment and education, but any profit we make goes back into programs like ‘R U BUSY’ through our Gold Coast and Ipswich Hubs to directly help those who are most vulnerable in the jobs market,” said Mr Miles.
BUSY At Work is a not for profit organisation providing apprenticeship, employment and community programs. With almost 40 years of experience BUSY has established various programs across Australia with offices throughout Queensland, Victoria, Canberra, Newcastle and Perth. R U BUSY? has seen many young people successfully complete the pre-employment course and enter the workforce which has significantly improved their self-esteem and quality of life.
The next R U BUSY? course is scheduled to commence at the Southport Hub on October 7, 2014. For further information about the R U BUSY? course or other programs BUSY At Work provide call 13 28 79.
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Image: Accepting the award on behalf of BUSY, Rod McShannon, General Manager Strategic Development, Rebecca Slavin-Molloy R U BUSY? Program Coordinator Richard Spurrel, General Manager Max Employment.
Photography by Willowtree Moments
MEDIA CONTACT: Leanne de Toerkenczy, Public Relations Coordinator
0438 173 960 leanne.detoerkenczy@busyatwork.com.au
