Are you looking for support to help you get your first job, or looking for assistance with developing skills to progress your career path?
You may have an idea of where you want to be in the workforce or what you want to do for a job, but are unsure of how to get there. A mentor can provide guidance and insight, which will help you achieve the break through you need to get that job!
Mentoring aims to give you more self-assurance, awareness of workplace requirements and a clear understanding of what potential employers are looking for. Mentoring is not a guarantee of employment.
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is the development of an one-on-one relationship where a more experienced person (the mentor) helps a lesser-experienced person (the mentee) reach their employment goals.
Break Through mentors are fully trained people who have completed an accredited TAFE training course and possess extensive skills and hands-on experience gained from years of employment.
Break Through Program background
Break Through is a program that was developed and launched in 2004 to address the issues of youth unemployment in Western Sydney. By utilising local business people as mentors, its major goal is to prepare young people for the workplace.
Break Through was initially a partnership between the Live N Learn Foundation, Liverpool City Council and TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute. The Live N Learn Foundation has been a major ongoing funds provider for the Break Through program. The program has also been supported by funding provided by the Australian Government under its Regional Partnerships Programme.
Break Through is coordinated by a full-time Program Coordinator based in the Break Through Campbelltown office and at the Live N Learn Miller Campus. It is managed by Wade Maher & Associates.
How does the Break Through program work?
Trained and qualified mentors are carefully matched with young people (mentees), based on career background, workplace skills and personal interests. All mentors will have completed an accredited mentoring course conducted by the South West Sydney Institute of TAFE.
Matched mentors and mentees will commit to a minimum of 15 planned meetings, which will usually take place during office hours at the Live N Learn Miller Campus, Break Through Campbelltown office, or onsite at a referral agency location.
At these regular meetings, mentors will assist mentees to connect with employment networks and develop a better understanding of workplace behaviour and expectations. It is a relaxed communication, involving activities including workplace visits, assistance in preparing resumes and enhancing job readiness skills by sharing the mentor’s own experiences.
Both the mentee and mentor will be fully supported by the Program Coordinator through the schedule of meetings. The Program Coordinator will work in partnership will the mentee’s nominated support worker.
Eligibility guidelines for young people
Young People who:
- Live in the Campbelltown/Macarthur area;
- Are between 16-25 years old;
- Have job seeking skills or experience and are receiving support from a community, employment or training agency;
- Are prepared to be committed to the program for up to six months
- Are able to demonstrate that you are ready to move into the workforce
- Would benefit from assistance to achieve your employment goals and are willing to work with a mentor from the local business community
Next steps
Generally all mentees must be referred to Break Through by a referral agency.
After completing and returning a Referral Form, and if you are eligible, you and your referee (support worker) will be invited to meet with the Break Though Program Coordinator. At this meeting you will discuss how the program works, its requirement of you and if Break Through is the right fit for you. You will need to clearly demonstrate your desire to participate in the program.
You can contact the Program Coordinator for a Referral Form and Eligibility criteria.
- Email: tracy@livenlearn.com.au
- Phone: 02 9608 5401 (Miller) or 02 4627 6864 (Campbelltown)
- Fax: 02 9608 6319 (Miller) or 02 4627 6864 (Campbelltown)
