Presentation Template Designs

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Breaking the cycle Engaging young offenders in
training and employment Mark Watt Co Founder
and CEO, Whitelion
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Whitelion Who are we?
Whitelion supports young people to build better
lives for themselves and helps make our community
a more inclusive and safer place. Each year
thousands of young people are disconnected from
our community due to abuse and neglect, drug
addiction and poverty. These young people have
often had horrific life experiences with few
positive role models and are caught in a 'cycle
of discouragement' that is very hard to break.
Many of these young people end up in Out-of-Home
Care and the Youth Justice System. Our Vision -
To reconnect disadvantaged young people with the
community so they are living positive and
meaningful lives.
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Whitelion - Overview

• Founded in 1999 by Glenn Manton Mark Watt
• Head office is in Parkville (neighbouring
  Melbourne Youth Justice Centre)
• Operating in South Australia, Tasmania and
  Victoria
• Whitelions key programs include volunteer
  mentoring, indigenous outreach program, a
  employment program, role model program, Young
  Womens Support Service, Young Lions, and ROAR
  a schools prevention program.
• The programs are funded by a mixed pool of
  corporate sponsorship, government funding, grants
  and fundraising efforts.

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Whitelion Services
Young people (13 to 25yrs) who are involved with,
or at risk of involvement with the Youth Justice
System or the Out of Home Care system. Over 2/3
of our young people have a criminal history, with
many referrals coming directly from relationships
built with young people while in custody
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The Whitelion Employment Team

• An individualised approach matching the young
  person to the right work environment.
• Methodology
• Interviews ? Vocational Assessment ? Training ?
  Workplace Orientation ? Short-term Placement ?
  Long-term Placement ? Ongoing Support
• Whitelion partners with employers who
• know about the criminal history of the young
  person (if applicable)
• identify a workplace buddy to provide on-site
  support
• provide a real job with real wages and
  realistic expectations.

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The Employment Process Work Conditioning

• Vocational Assessment - Young people who are
  referred to the program begin with a vocational
  assessment which acts as a pathway to identify a
  suitable course of action.
• Businesses Involved ANZ, Lee Hecht Harrison
• Training Using the networks of the Employment
  Team, Human Resources and Learning and
  Development people, courses are conducted in
  office etiquette, sales, customer service,
  conflict resolution, team work, interview
  training and other areas.
• Businesses Involved Bill Lang Int, Optus, Ted
  Todd, Alexander Mann Services

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Whitelion Employment Process - Placement

• Work Experience The first experience of work.
  A chance to apply what has been learnt and refine
  skills.
• Short Term Position Often in the range of three
  to four months and 2/3 days per week this is the
  next managed step to independence include the
  support of a workplace buddy.
• Long Term Position This is an ongoing position
  or long contract position that can grow in hours
  per week, still involves the support of all
  parties and gradually develops independence.
  Positions can be supported for years.

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Type of Employers

• Retail Coles, Target, Kmart
• Administration and Finance ANZ, Pricewaterhouse
  Coopers, NAB, AFL, Clemenger Harvey Edge,
  Salesforce, UCMS,
• Construction/Trades Abigroup (current push with
  others)
• Hospitality KFC, Spotless, Various Melbourne
  Restaurants
• Manufacturing Heinz, Murray Goulburn
  (Devondale),
• Logistics/Transport TOLL Group, Australia Post,
  UTI,

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Unique features of the program

• Positions are designed around the young person
• A tailored position creates the best chance of
  success and allows for understanding of the
  target group from the business.
• Take it slow
• These young people take time to develop skills,
  confidence and the abilities to manage their
  lives. From first contact it can often take 6
  months of work for the young person to build to 4
  days per week or more.

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Unique Features Cont.

• Intensive case management
• Showing the support indicates you are in it with
  them for the long haul and they will have your
  professional support.
• Identify champions
• This is THE most effective way of getting
  business to the table and keeping them there.
  This is usually done through a direct contact
  with young people where they realise what they
  have to offer.
• A multi-level relationship approach makes the
  partnership more sustainable

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Unique features cont..

• Develop partnerships useful to your goal
• Whitelion has links with workers from numerous
  not for profit organisations and has partner
  programs with many of them. The more expansive
  the network the better information you will have
  and the better support you can provide.
• Get the input of the employer
• As well as design of each individual position
  the team is supported by a steering committee.
  Consisting of HR Managers from ANZ
  (admin/finance), Heinz (manufacturing), PSA
  (construction), Lee Hecht Harrison (training) and
  Coles Group (retail) the committee provides
  industry advice, contacts and resources to meet
  immediate areas of need.

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Unique Features of the Program Cont

• Long term support
• Many of our young people struggle in the early
  days of work and will come to us for several
  positions often until they are in their early
  twenties.
• Gather key essential information and match well
• Many of these young people have multiple issues
  which must be managed. Dont set up the young
  person to fail by placing them in a position that
  conflicts with their background.

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An example

• Since 2000, the Employment Program has trained
  employed 350 at risk young people
• Whitelion works with 150 young people annually,
  employs over 70 disadvantaged young people per
  year across Vic (Melb, Bendigo, Geelong) Tas.
• Approx ½ are from custodial backgrounds.
• The others have/are at risk of involvement with
  Youth Justice
• Over 60 partner companies on board, including
• Transport Logistics (TOLL, Quiksilver)
• Admin Finance (ANZ, Medibank Private)
• Hospitality (Spotless, KFC)
• Construction/Trades (GROCON, QENOS)

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Case studies
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Case studies

• Ray Martin (at employment) have taught me a
  lot. Not just about tools and driving either,
  they have taught me how to be patient and
  tolerant. They were always there for me when I
  was in trouble. Steve, (Qenos)

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Case Studies
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The Future

• South Australia
• Office
• The Parks Community Centre
• 2-46 Cowan St., Angle Park.
• Building partnerships engaging business
• Connecting with young people
• Supporting the matches
• www.whitelion.org.au