A wonderful, highly motivated group of young people recently graduated from the Ladder program. From the very beginning, participants identified that they wanted to focus on practical steps towards gaining employment and living independently.  

“Ladder has had my back the whole time, from job stuff to personal goals. I wouldn’t be where I am now without their support.” - Riley

The group worked together to become job ready through building strong resumes, applying for jobs and participating in mock interviews. They applied for Tax File Numbers, bank accounts and arranged their ‘life admin’ so that they could confidently and independently step into a future employment opportunity.

Participants spent time fostering independent living skills and learned to prepare healthy, budget meals together. This activity also allowed them to work as a team and build on their communication skills.

Participants attended a tour of TAFE Gippsland which provided valuable insights into further education opportunities and pathways. This sparked interest in many of the participants who were motivated to explore further education.

“I didn’t realise there were so many different pathways at TAFE. It’s made me think about options I hadn’t considered before.” – Lilly

The program began with eight young people, two of whom entered already employed. By the end of the program, five of the remaining six participants had secured employment which is an amazing result! The other participant made the empowering decision to return to school and is also working closely with local services to support their mental health.

“Getting a job felt impossible before, but Ladder helped me step by step. It’s not just about finding work, they’ve helped me grow as a person too.” – Rylen

These outcomes are a testament to the determination and hard work of the participants, as well as the strength of Ladder’s holistic approach. The growth and achievements seen in such a short timeframe highlight what’s possible when young people are given the right tools, encouragement, and opportunities. Ladder remains committed to walking alongside each of these young people, continuing to provide ongoing guidance and support as they take the next steps in their journeys.

 “It feels amazing to have a plan for my future and know I've got people in my corner." - Brad