Cape York Institute Leadership Academy’s Skills to Lead Program held its second in a series of 3 workshops at the Baninh Yeeum Building (Cape York Partnership Cairns office) last month. Demonstrating our commitment to building youth engagement, confidence and job pathways, participants engaged in their second module – ‘LEAD TEAM’, delving into topics including capability building, governance, impactful communication, and partnerships for social change.
Facilitators Melissa Browne and Ivy Minniecon alongside the Cape York Employment School to Jobs team, coordinated the experience, building strong networks among participants.
Day 2 saw Donna Corrie, of Dee’s Deportment and Grooming, deliver a session on confidence, self-care, presentation, and being ‘interview ready’, complete with makeovers and skin treatments. Students were ready to face the next session, which included Ivy Minniecon’s weaving and yarning circle weaving deeper bonds, fostering discussions on holistic health, life’s journey, and the essence of cultural identity in leadership.
As a result of network connections and the opportunity to explore individual interests and passions, a highlight of the workshop was watching one of the participants, Braiden Courtney, explore conversations with the CYP Group IT team, resulting in a work experience opportunity and successful employment as an IT Trainee commencing in March 2024.
Workshop 2 of the Skills to Lead program was successful, with engagement, conversation, and empowerment to build learning and employment pathways for participants. Project Coordinator, Ivy shared her week in review as she saw it, “The participants really got stuck into everything, from weaving to deep yarns, and you could see them getting more confident, especially after Donna’s session. They really started opening up, sharing their goals, and supporting each other. It’s clear they’re not just learning skills; they’re stepping up as leaders.”
The students recommend the program to other youth, looking to engage, connect and be supported to explore career pathways and secure employment.
The CYI Leadership Academy are now accepting applications for the Skills to Lead, Cape York Program commencing in Weipa, with workshop 1 scheduled for 7-9 May 2024. To enquire about an application, please email Ivy: iminniecon@cyi.org.au