The Hoop Dreams initiative is an innovative employment program for disengaged youth from Indigenous and culturally diverse communities, including newly arrived refugees. The programs involve 4 key areas:

• Mentoring program
• Employment pathways
• Pre-employment support and skills training
• Basketball engagement programs

 

RISING STARS MENTORING PROGRAM

The RISING STARS Career Mentoring Program connects young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with a successful mentor from the business community.  An experienced professional who delivers an opportunity for them for guidance to support their career aspirations. This program is a mentoring partnership focused on developing a young person’s career abilities and identifying career and personal goals.

The program aims to empower young people with the knowledge and skills to become future leaders and role models. Our Hoop Dreams employment program delivers fundamental skills, encouragement and practical tools to young people aged 18-24 years old from diverse backgrounds.

Find out more here.

 

EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYS OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM

The program aims to empower young people with the knowledge and skills to become future leaders and role models through our ‘sponsored’ employment positions.  Our Hoop Dreams employment program delivers fundamental skills, encouragement and practical tools to Indigenous and culturally diverse youth. The program provides intensive, pre-education and pre-employment support to improve the job-readiness of young people (aged 15-24) and provide education and employment pathways, playing a facilitation role in removing any challenges and barriers to effective engagement.

 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRAINING

Training programs are provided for all our job candidates to ensure they understand the requirements before starting a job (i.e. interview techniques, work ethic, tax file numbers etc …). Designed with companies around the needs for the positions offered, we work directly with employers to ensure a smooth transition into the jobs to fast-track their integration and success in the role.

In partnership with our corporate employment partners we deliver a Training and Employment Initiative with the following core elements:

• Intensive support to establish core elements that contribute to successful job placements;
• Development of individual outcome plans that include skills-based training linked to job opportunities;
• Program focus on ‘sponsored’ work opportunities through the Charity Bounce employment network;
• Post placement support for every young person offering a holistic suite of support services.

 

The Hoop Dreams programme is funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment as part of the Empowering YOUth Initiative