In 2020, JTConnect visited twelve schools in the Cairns and South East Queensland Regions with 499 young people taking part. Launched in August last year, the JTConnect program is an initiative of the Johnathan Thurston Academy, sponsored by the Deadly Choices’ Indigenous health campaign, and is designed to empower young people to believe in themselves and be the difference.
JTConnect aims to connect students to employers, through an engaging workshop that incorporates JT’s own experiences and offers insight and advice to get them started on their own employment journey.
Our visits at each school start with the JTConnect Marquee set up out the front of the school, giving students of all ages the opportunity to meet with our team, grab some healthy breakfast and start chatting about their employment journey. Our team also brings along giant Connect 4 and Jenga – the competition between students and teachers is always fierce!
After mingling with students before school, our classroom sessions begin! We kick things off with a quick introduction before watching some JT highlights to get everyone excited and in the mood to work. Throughout the program, students are invited to stand up and speak in front of the group – each time becoming more challenging and requiring more confidence, courage, and self-belief!
Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many students reporting back that they have had successful interviews after learning skills and strategies in JTConnect!
We can’t wait to see more students in 2021 and hear about their employment goals and dreams!
