Working in partnership with Youthworx, the VME mentors will support young people who are engaged in a Certificate III in Screen & Media. Meeting once a fortnight for 9 sessions from 3 August to 7 December (1:30-3:00pm), mentors will work in groups of 1-2 with their mentee(s).

Sessions are embedded within the Certificate’s Work Readiness class and, led by the Teacher, will likely cover goal setting, transferable and enterprise skills, work readiness, developing industry experiences and connections, as well as include an excursion(s) into industry.

You have a positive attitude towards young people and education. You use a strengths based-solutions focused approach driven by principles of empowerment when mentoring young people experiencing marginalisation. You are calm and empathetic in nature, and demonstrate resilience in managing a range of behaviors by young people.

You will have creative industry skills and experience, in particular film production / script writing / acting / radio or podcast production / musician / photography and are willing to share this knowledge in an accessible manner, using strong communication skills, conflict management, networking, and teamwork skills. Entrepreneurial skills and experience are desirable but not essential. You demonstrate a willingness to learn and adapt, as required, to support your mentee’s personal and creative skill development and work readiness capabilities. You are committed to the role and are available for the training, induction, mentoring and evaluation sessions.

The mentor program aims to assist Youthworx students to be able to transition into work settings in a supported way by a professional who has creative industry skills and experience. You will work with the teacher helping mentees to overcome barriers to employment. Each situation will be different depending on who you are working with but mentoring sessions are will focus on developing, reviewing and achieving goals.

As a result of the mentoring sessions, Mentees will strengthen: ● career planning ● work readiness skills – job searching, resume and cover letter preparation, interview skills ● understanding of workplace expectations ● strategies for personal networks ● knowledge and importance of goal setting, leadership, teamwork and other transferable skills ● real life application through discussions, activities, excursion(s)/incursion(s)

Volunteering is extremely satisfying, personally and professionally. The skills gained through volunteering are both diverse and transferable. While able to make a significant impact on a disadvantaged young person’s life outcome, Mentors also gain valuable skills and experience.