NEWS Archive | Page 7 of 8 | Johnathan Thurston Academy

International Women’s Day – Why it Matters

Happy International Women’s Day! And I do mean everybody because we all have a part to play in helping days like this matter.

It may seem a bit strange to have a footy player talking about why International Women’s Day matters. But I am talking about it because it really is important and long past time that we work together as a society to help everyone be the best version of themselves.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #BalanceforBetter with an aim of bringing to attention to the fact that “balance drives a better world”.

I have been lucky enough to reach the top of my career in what has been very much a male dominated world, but at home I am in a completely female dominated world with my wife Sam and our four daughters.

Now I am retired from footy, I am working with the JTAcademy to help Australians of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities to access the resources and support they need to be a success within their community.

An important part of this is the JTWomenToLead, which we launched this year at Woodridge State High School, where 14 young women from Years 9 to 11 are being offered special mentoring and career guidance to empower them to stay in education, build confidence, and bravery to follow their dreams and become our leaders of the future.

The more we can support and encourage young women to strive for the careers of their dreams, the more we level the playing field and, as a society, will benefit from their success.

Why do we need to support something like International Women’s Day?

The fact is that while we have been making some progress in the past decade towards closing the gender pay gap, in Australia men on average earn 14.1 per cent more than women, the Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equity Agency tells us.

What’s more, in Australia, the gender gap favours men working full-time over women working full-time across every single industry and occupational category.

A gender pay gap of 14.1 per cent is simply not OK. Not for women working today or the next generation or the generation after that.

Hopefully, through days like International Women’s Day, where we work to promote awareness of the fact our world does not always offer equal opportunities, we can change this.

For more on International Women’s Day, check out the website
and if you are keen to hear more about our JTWomenToLead program click here.

JT gives Summer a kick start

Ibis Mackay manager Scott Grant with Summer Seden who trained through the Johnathan Thurston Academy. Daily Mercury.

A true JTAcademy success story, Summer Seden spoke with the Daily Mercury earlier this year about her journey from nervously starting a traineeship at ibis Mackay hotel to now securing full-time work at the venue.

Summer was connected with the ibis through the JTAcademy and completed a traineeship in hospitality. She impressed management so much; she now has a permanent job.

“A lot of people ask me how I got my job because they are having trouble,” Summer told the paper. “I tell them to go to the JTAcademy because there is no harm in trying.”

JT said the role of the academy is to connect youth with work and training opportunities.

“They just need to be given a go by businesses who believe in them and are happy to take the time to train them,” he said.

To read the full story, visit the Daily Mercury’s website here.

The JT Academy Empowers Followers to Achieve Their Dreams

When the Johnathan Thurston Academy set up the JTEmployment Facebook Group last month, we were hoping to engage our followers and empower them in the jobseeking process. One of the first conversations was started by follower Justin Jackson, who had recently met Johnathan Thurston on his live speaking tour.

We discovered Justin can not work due to ill health but wishes to become a journalist in the future. So we asked Justin if he would be happy to volunteer his time writing an article for the Academy, and as you will see from his words below – we think he has a natural talent. Below Justin shares his experiences and conveys how Johnathan and the Academy has inspired him to volunteer his time and pursue his dreams.

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I first heard of the Johnathan Thurston Academy last year on the news and it certainly piqued my interest. I thought it was the perfect opportunity for JT to give back to the community after serving as Bulldog/Cowboys, Queensland and Australian representative.

After attending the show in Brisbane and meeting Johnathan himself on December 9, 2018, it made me think just how much I wanted to help out in the Academy, even if it was just on a voluntary basis. I used to be a student at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland studying politics, justice and legal studies and law. Having a disability, I was already under pressure to perform well and I had the bar set high on becoming a Crown Barrister for the Department of Public Prosecution when I was struck down with a life-changing illness that ended that dream.

Visiting the Cowboys stadium with my best friend in 2015 and watching the Cowboys take on the Sharks on 27 June 2015, really gave me the motivation to want to do something with my life. I might not be able to study or work medically but I keep myself active by writing my first novel, working on a thesis paper I started at university, keeping active at the gym while also volunteering administrative skills for my local state MP.

I have one dream that I would be able to study a Diploma of Journalism so I can become the state political reporter or a crime reporter. Unfortunately, I cannot afford the financial situation to take out a loan to do so, so that’s where volunteering comes into play.

The JT Academy gives not only people like me hope of obtaining qualifications, but also those from different cultural backgrounds. It is possible, no matter where we may come from, money is not always the answer, and I do believe that the Academy speared by one of the greatest NRL players of recent history, will boost both schooling and working attendance rates across not only Queensland but Australia.

I look forward to seeing the Academy soar to new heights and grow strength to strength in the years to come.

Justin Jackson

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A great way to gain experience, network, build confidence and give back to your community is to volunteer your time in areas you are passionate about. Australia would not be the great country it is without the many volunteers who do amazing work every day.

Are you a JT Academy Star? Get involved by sharing your stories with us.

Future Leaders Announced for the First JTWomenToLead Program

A group of 14 students from Woodridge State High School has been selected to the be the first to participate in the JTWomenToLead program delivered by the Johnathan Thurston Academy.

The program has been designed to encourage, educate, empower and inspire young women to reach for their dreams so they can become role models and future leaders for their community.

The first JTWomenToLead program will be held at the school for the 15 Year 9 and Year 10 students in 2019 with the young women chosen to participate being named as: Gloriose Irankunda, Brooke Hornery, Nelleah Morganson, Folau Uhatafe, Iang Lian Lin, Chantal Heri, Lagaau Leaa, Tiarne, Aoina-Weir, Kathleen Fraser, Aisha Hatungimana, Jeshiana Tsang, Lily O’Shea Grissell, Felicity Blake, Jasmine Walker.

The JTWomenToLead program will cover goal setting, developing leadership skills and then working on plans to build the career or life path they want for themselves.

The program has been made possible by the sponsorship of Brisbane law firm Meneghello Law.

Students at the school were invited to submit their applications in the form of a 10 second video for the first JTWomenToLead program, which is tailored to each group of participants to help support and encourage them into the workforce.

“Girls should have equal rights as boys in sport,” one girl said. “They should be advertised the same on TV and there should be equality.”

Another offered her opinion on women STEM fields stating simply:
“young women can do math and science because they are unstoppable”.

While a third young woman said: “What I want to see for the next generation is young women to speak up, being pushed to their limits, being bold and most importantly to never give up”.

Kathleen Janecek, Principal of Woodridge State High School explained the school developed its relationship with the JT Academy after their employment connections coach heard about the work they were doing and wanted the school to be involved.

The JT Academy has already held some sessions at the school under the JTSucceed program, which Kathleen said had resulted in increased confidence of the school’s students.

“WSHS is excited about our young woman being a part of this program as it provides them with further opportunity to be Connected to Every World. It serves to value add to their learning experience to ensure they graduate empowered, connected and future focused young leaders with a world of opportunity at their feet” Kathleen explained.

“Through the projects that the girls will undertake they will be provided with the opportunity to make a positive impact on their local community, fellow peers and broaden their horizons to effect change on the world’s stage.

“We hope the program will inspire our young women to embrace their place in the world and recognise the impact that they can have when they believe in themselves and their potential to make a difference in the lives of others.”

The support of Meneghello Law has been invaluable in providing this opportunity to students at the school.

“We are certain that the outcomes of the program will be positive and future programs will be extremely popular,” she said. “Peer mentoring in our community is powerful! When students can see other students overcoming barriers and rising to a challenge they are empowered to do the same.”

Daniel Meneghello, the principal of Meneghello Law, is proud to sponsor Australia’s first JTWomentoLead program at the school for 15 young girls aged between 13 and 14.

The commitment to sponsor the first JTWomenToLead program was made by Danial Meneghello and the team at Meneghello Law following a recent episode of 60 Minutes where Thurston visited the school.

“I am not sure the JT Academy will change the world, but it certainly has the potential to help plenty of people and is driven by people who are clearly passionate about making that happen,” Daniel explained.

“This is our way of doing our bit and we believe it is a valuable initiative. This is such a good program, we were excited to be able to sponsor the first of its kind.

“The end goal of the program is to help change people’s lives for the better so they can then go on to become role models themselves for their children, their peers and their community.”

Thurston said he hoped the program participants will “achieve personal growth and life success by being inspired”.

“We want to help young and mature women find work, support indigenous women seeking to find employment and increase the levels of female participation in the areas of sport, politics, business, STEM (science, tech, engineering, maths) fields and mining,” Thurston said.

“I want for my three daughters to grow up in a world where they have an equal seat, equal pay, and equal say around any boardroom table.”

To learn more about this program visit the JT Academy here.

JT tackles the boardroom

Talking with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) in November 2018, Thurston admitted he now felt very much like “a small fish in a big pond” as he navigates his new career in the corporate world.

Thurston speaks about being offered a role on the Board of Queensland Tourism and Events and why he was seen keen to embrace the opportunity.

“I didn’t take much convincing. I thought it was a good opportunity for me to take on and learn how boards operate,” he told AICD. “And I can learn about the industry as well – because I like travel and so does my wife.”

He also spoke about the work he is doing as Managing Director of the JTAcademy: “This is something I am extremely proud of,” he says.“Education is the key and that’s what I am passionate about.”

To read the full story click here.

JT Academy Partnerships Making Life-Changing Impacts for Jobseekers

Stable and supportive employment opportunities have provided life-changing impacts for south Queensland Indigenous residents thanks to partnerships between the Johnathan Thurston (JT) Academy and national businesses.

Torque Heritage chief executive officer Michael Hall said they had placed around 100 Indigenous candidates into employment within Queensland solar farm developments and the JT Academy partnership had played a big part in achieving this.

“We are really on board with everything it [the JT Academy] stands for, we want to be part of it well into the future and continue empowering Indigenous and non-indigenous people to achieve sustainable life-changing results for themselves,” he said.

Butchulla man Wayne Tobane said his life just kept getting better after stable local employment through Torque Heritage in a Hervey Bay solar farm enabled him to stay close to his community, pay his mortgage and provide for his four children.

“I’m over the moon and so grateful to be part of the local workforce and look after my boys,” he said.

“I was going to have to relocate but this opportunity came just at the right time and was a real life-saver.

“I’ve really felt supported, learned new skills and had the chance to gain certification that will help my employability into the future, which all has a positive flow-on effect for my family.”

AccorHotels Indigenous programs executive Kedea Atherton said the JT Academy partnership was generating a great response, with many of the recent Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane program attendees coming via the JT Academy.

“Through our [Indigenous employment] program, many attendees have been offered positions at AccorHotels,” she said.

“It’s important we provide sustainable and authentic opportunities and through the partnership with the JT Academy we have reached a greater number of applicants and built good relationships.”

The recently retired NRL star Johnathan Thurston, earlier this year embarked on the Brisbane based JT Academy venture, with the intention of empowering people to achieve their life goals.

Thurston said each participant would leave the Academy with a new set of skills to tackle their respective ambitions, whether it is employment, education, health or sport.

Check out the JT Academy Jobs Board here >

Johnathan Thurston stuns students at Woodridge High with a visit – and 60 Minutes gets in on the act

A group of 180 students at Woodridge State High School recently attended an unscheduled assembly where they were hit with a triple surprise none could have guessed was coming.

The students had been taking part in football legend Johnathan Thurston’s JT Succeed Program, an initiative of his JT Academy.

“The students were called to an assembly where we played them a video JT had made thanking them for being a part of the JT Succeed program which we had done last semester,” Woodridge High’s Employment Connections Coach Rhiannon Parsons explained.

“And then without any of the kids knowing, he came to visit us. The kids were so excited. I’m very pleased I don’t need to keep the secret anymore because it was so hard to not let on that JT was coming to the school.

“It was brilliant the kids were able to meet with him and talk with him. JT has inspired a lot of kids through the JT Succeed Program and this has meant a lot to our students.”

There were TV cameras at the school filming what the students were told was material for the JT Academy chronicling a visit from the Academy’s General Manager, Samantha Johnson, who had previously spoken at the school as part of the JT Succeed Program.

What they didn’t know was that the television cameras were part of a 60 Minutes film crew that had been travelling with the footy star for a segment which aired in October 21.

“The kids didn’t know I was going to be here and they had no idea the cameras were here for 60 Minutes so that was a lot of fun,” JT said. “It was so good to be able to come out and surprise these kids with a visit. It is one of the best parts of my job with the JT Academy.

“The students at Woodridge High have been taking part in the JT Succeed program where we talk about self-belief, courage and confidence; how to find them and how to use them. The program is an intensive employment program designed after industry consultation to give young people who want to work, the edge they need to gain and maintain employment.

“I have been told the 1,400 students at Woodridge State high come from more than 60 cultural backgrounds. And the thing is, the message is the same regardless of what that background is.

“The JT Succeed Program looks at a wide range of subjects and importantly includes a focus on building self-confidence. Self-confidence is something that everybody of every age, in every area can use more of.

“We’ve got a big bag of tips and advice, including some useful activities that participants can use and put into play on a daily basis to increase and build their confidence.

“We also encourage a change of mindset. We love to empower courage with our participants and give them the self-belief to put their hand up for future employment opportunities. We’re all about encouraging our participants to build their aspirations and achieve their goals.”

JT told students he receives a report about every school visit undertaken by staff at the Academy as part of the JT Succeed program and that he had seen the social media work students at Woodridge High produced as part of the first visit to the school from the Academy.

“We are hoping that the Academy will be able to reach as many young Australians as possible to equip them with the tools needed to help them find meaningful employment,” JT said. “The idea of being courageous, having self -belief and being confident can be scary, I know.

“My message is don’t be scared of failing, be more scared of not giving it a go. I want to encourage as many youth as I can to keep turning up to school and to keep believing in themselves.

“And for those who may not have access to school, or who just don’t fit with the school system, there are other ways of getting the skills and qualifications you need to get a job. Don’t give up. Let us help you if we can.”

Rhiannon said she knew the messages being shared by the JT Succeed Program would resonate with students at the school and that was why the school became involved with the JT Academy.

“We know Johnathan Thurston is a major role model for the majority of our student population, and he has built such a great reputation for himself that we knew it would be a great program that our students would be excited to be a part of,” she said.

“We knew these messages were going to be well received by our students who follow Johnathan Thurston’s career, but I found that all students were able to take away valuable knowledge and insight that will be useful during their schooling years and beyond.

“Our ambition for involvement in JT Succeed was to help students to feel empowered and confident about employment, and leave with a sense of knowing that they really do have the potential to follow their dreams and that’s exactly what happened.”

If you would like more information on the JT Academy, visit the website or contact info@jtacademy.com.au

JTEmployment Zone

The Johnathan Thurston Academy is taking employment back to basics, where employment is simply about introducing good people into good jobs.

The JT Academy doesn’t get involved in any funded training or any job network funding. We are definitely not an RTO. Instead we are taking employment back to the very basics where everything begins with job, then introducing the jobseeker to the employer.

We’re proud to be the facilitator of introductions. We’ve got a fully functional recruitment platform along with amazing employment initiatives that bring together jobseekers and employers to meet in the same zone.

We are fast becoming the number one hotspot for employment; our job board is growing on a weekly basis.

In some cases, some of our employers are getting up to three times the candidate attraction compared to what they previously receiving using other platforms. We aim to ensure that all opportunities for potential connections are exhausted and managed in the one zone.

We have the ability to attract some outstanding jobseekers far and wide. It is no surprise that Johnathan’s brand itself attracts huge jobseeker demand. It’s a very unique model in terms of creating and building pipelines of jobseekers for any industry or organisation.

The JT Academy has a fully functional job board and candidate management system in the back end. We’re forever tracking candidates on their employment journey and sourcing candidates with a strong focus on Indigenous, youth, unskilled and women employment initiatives.

We have a very strong network, partnerships, and direct links with some of Australia’s largest companies and industries.

The team at JT Academy believe we are a key link between employers and jobseekers. Employment activities at the Academy include sending out weekly JTHotjobs to our database, running community and school JTSucceed employment workshop. We also send JTWorkReady candidates to our employers.

Employment initiatives such as job matching, candidate profiling, jobseeker marketing and website activities are all things that we do for our clients. We also run targeted jobseeker searches and have a fully functional CRM with screening features and filters which is also available to our clients.

If you are an employer looking to attract a pipeline of targeted job seekers to your workforce, or if you simply have a role to fill, please click this link here.

A Word from Johnathan Thurston – Managing Director, JT Academy

Wow, what a whirlwind of a few weeks it’s been, not only for myself personally in the lead up to my retirement, but it’s also been an amazing and exciting time for all of us at the JT Academy.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for their well wishes and support, which have come to me through social media, via email and Instagram. You name it, I’ve received all of it and am most certainly very grateful for that.

It’s been an exciting time over the past couple of months watching the Academy get up on its legs and grow into something quite amazing.

This month I was so pleased to receive photos of jobseekers that have come to the Academy posted through the JT job board. The photos are of youth who have been given some help by us, applied for jobs and then sent photos of themselves on job sites in employment wearing JT Academy hats.

There is a lot going on at the Academy that we are really excited about. Probably the biggest area of growth for the Academy in the past month has been our job board.

I believe it’s fast becoming the number one hotspot for employment and I’d like to thank all of our partners, all of the employers who are contributing to the job board by advertising their employment opportunities using the JT platforms. Nothing makes me happier than watching people gain employment out of using the JT Academy employment zone.

We have also been working on an anti-bullying campaign, which is on the horizon and we’re doing some great things out at schools with the JTBelieve and JTSucceed programs.

There will be more announcements of what we are up to so watch this space.

And for all those amazing partners and employers, please keep advertising your jobs on the JTJobBoard and together we will continue to place great people into great jobs. As always, it’s an absolute pleasure working with you all.

Thanks everybody. Enjoy the month ahead.

JTSucceed – Woodridge State High School

Big shout out to Woodridge State High School, who last month hosted the JT Academy at their school to run a few of our key JTSucceed employment workshops. The day was very successful. We had so much involvement from all students and we had a great time being at the school.

What was really highlighted on the visit was just how serious the staff at Woodridge State High School are about connecting their students with careers, and they’re doing a fantastic job out there in setting up future pathways for their students. Well done to an amazing team and incredibly talented students.

Our JT Succeed Program is an intensive employment program designed after industry consultation to give young people who want to work the edge they need to gain and maintain employment. The JT Succeed Program offers a wide range of subjects to participants an importantly includes a focus on building self-confidence.

Self-confidence is something that everybody of every age, in every area can use more of. We’ve got a big bag of tips and advice, including some useful activities that participants can use and put into play on a daily basis to increase and build their confidence.

We encourage a change of mind-set. We love to empower courage with our participants and give them the self-belief to put their hand up for future employment opportunities. We’re all about encouraging our participants to build their aspirations and achieve their goals.