Registrations are now open for free hospitality and entrepreneurship courses for young people aged 15 to 18 years.
The 12-week courses start in May and are part of Ignite Futures, a new council project aimed at strengthening the employability of young people and building pathways to employment, self-employment or entrepreneurship.
Ignite Hospo is for young people passionate about food, people and working in fast-paced environments. It includes skills development (plus barista training), work experience, and post-placement support such as writing resumes and learning interview techniques.
Future Makers 2.0 is for aspiring young entrepreneurs who have ideas for a business, want to start their own business, or want to be their own boss. It focuses on creative industries and includes a micro-business start-up program, mentorship and $500 seed funding to kickstart or grow their business.
The courses will each run one day per week for 12 weeks.
They will be delivered in Christie Downs, Hackham West and Aldinga, areas with higher youth unemployment.
“Ignite Futures is particularly focussed on young people aged 15 to 18 who live, learn, work or play within the city of Onkaparinga and who are at risk of disengaging from school and work,” says Wilson Ndung’u, Youth Community Development Officer at the City of Onkaparinga.
“While the aim is to develop employability skills and create pathways to employment and self-employment, the other spinoffs are just as important – confidence, engagement with the community, a network of friends, and hope.”
Paul Kitchen, Youth Program Officer at the City of Onkaparinga, says, “We have a great bunch of local businesses and mentors on board. They will share their skills and knowledge.
“Just as importantly, they’ll open young people’s eyes to the wide range of possibilities for work, entrepreneurship, their lives and their futures.”
Register now for one of the first four free courses:
Ignite Hospo Christie Downs
Starts Tuesday 5 May
12-week hospitality program
Wardli Youth Centre, Christie Downs
Ignite Hospo Hackham West
Starts Wednesday 6 May
12-week hospitality program
Hackham West Community Centre, Hackham West
Future Makers 2.0
Starts Wednesday 6 May
12-week aspiring-entrepreneurs program
OYEH @ Wardli Youth Centre, Christie Downs
Ignite Hospo Aldinga
Starts Thursday 7 May
12-week hospitality program
Studio 20 Youth Centre, Aldinga Beach
Ignite Futures is a 2-year project run by Onkaparinga Youth and is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.