Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Growing Careers Project
We are calling for local business and industry representatives to share their experience, showcase the real world of work and bring the theory to life – to inspire students to dream big about their futures!
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What is the Growing Careers Project?
The Smith Family’s Growing Careers Project – funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Education – gives young people the opportunity to acquire what they need to thrive post-school by enabling them to participate in multiple career programs.
These could encompass anything from a short career-focused activity, to several weeks of one-on-one mentoring via an online platform – or spending a few days in a workplace.
Research shows that young people who can recall four or more encounters with the world of work, while at school, are far more likely to be in work, training or study in their 20.
How you can support
Work inspiration
- Host 20 high school students at your office for half a day
- Engage your team to support the students to undertake predesigned career activities
- These activities aim to expose students to a wide variety of roles and jobs, provide a behind the scenes glimpse of day-to-day tasks and hear your team member’s career journeys
Career Activities
- Volunteer 2 hours – half a day to support a career activity at a local high school
- This could be sharing your career journey, having a stall at a Career Expo or running mock interviews
- These sessions aim to help build the student's confidence, support them to think about their future and to broaden their understanding of what is possible
*As these activities are run in schools, supporters may need a Working with Children’s Check or state equivalent to attend.
Benefits of supporting
You have helped a lot and opened my mind some more with all the possibilities and options I could take - I now have a clear view of what I need to achieve my goals - thank you.
This shared opportunity not only offers local business and industry the chance to attract young talent, but for young people to build skills and knowledge that can support their success beyond school.
It’s the potential to change the course of a child’s life, who may not have access to the networks or role models to dream boldly about their future.
