Youth Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
Opportunity Hubs provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people with the skills, confidence, and support to successfully transition from secondary school into further education or employment.
Part of OCHRE (Opportunity, Choice, Healing, Responsibility, Empowerment), the NSW Government’s initiative for Aboriginal Affairs, Opportunity Hub is a voluntary program for students in Years 5–12.
Opportunity Hubs create supported pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people from school into tertiary education, training, and/or employment. It’s all about helping students stay engaged in education and access exciting opportunities beyond school.
Made for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
Students of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent in Years 5–12 are eligible to join the Opportunity Hub.
Creating pathways into education and employment
MTC Australia’s Opportunity Hubs are based in Campbelltown and Wollondilly where we work with more than 60 government and non-government schools. Through group workshops (Years 5–8) and one-on-one sessions (Years 9–12), OCHRE Opportunity Hub Advisors help students build career aspirations, explore career pathways, plan for transition and stay engaged with education and training. The support provided depends on the needs of each student.
Our Opportunity Hub advisors also:
Engage parents and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to support the work of the Hub
Coordinate local opportunities for students, including work experience, employment, mentoring, scholarships
Link local education and training providers and youth services into the Hub to help coordinate student pathways
Arrange additional support from relevant agencies and the community as needed
Engage with local employers and industry
Provide support and mentoring to students when they commence employment
Creating employment opportunities
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing career and employment opportunities to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Opportunity Hub Campbelltown recently invited sixteen years 11 and year 12 students from various schools to complete a 5-week Barista course at Campbelltown TAFE.
The students participated in the course one day a week and received practical, hands-on learning revolving around the hospitality industry.
While their coffee making skills definitely improved, the students also gained skills in communication, collaboration, time management, customer service, and multi-tasking. All of which are extremely valued transferable skills for several jobs in most industries.
During the course, the students completed two accredited units and are now considered to be qualified baristas. They will be able to use this experience to look for work as baristas or in the hospitality industry. These accredited units could also be used to progress to various Hospitality courses offered by TAFE NSW.
At the end of the courses, the students held a small presentation where they invited guests to demonstrate their new barista skills to, resulting in many delicious coffees and milkshakes!
Congratulations to our Opportunity Hub students on completing this course, we cannot wait to taste what you have in store for us!
How to join Opportunity Hub
Students can be referred to the program by their school or they can volunteer to join. Generally, students need parental permission.
Call MTC Australia’s Customer Care team on 1300 232 663 or fill out the online enquiry form.
Download the Opportunity Hub factsheet to find out more.
OUR TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS
Success Stories
See how Opportunity Hub can help you