Future Work Programs
Our Young People Achieving
Working with families, schools and the community, our Future Work programs help set up Benalla’s young people to enjoy happy, healthy and successful lives. Our activities build student aspiration, digital literacy, engagement in learning, confidence, and the employability skills needed to embrace future work opportunities.
Anganya
A collaboration between Ganbina and Tomorrow Today, the Anganya program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children within the Benalla region that are attending full-time education in mainstream schools.
The aims are to keep students engaged in education and support them in their transition to further training and education or employment post school.
The pilot program was launched in 2024 and has four key elements:
- Scholarships for education – sharing the cost with families for things like school shoes, school fees and laptops.
- Employment and training – supporting students to get a part-time job, creating a resume, building their employability skills, money management and pathways to further education.
- Driving – support for obtaining a driver’s license which helps to reduce the barriers to employment.
- Accelerated learning – one-to-one and small group tutoring for English and Maths, as well as Cultural Yarning and traditional arts and crafts which support cultural connection.
Year 5&6 Careers Program
The Year 5&6 Careers Program encourages students to think about what’s possible for their future, build aspirations and ease the transition to secondary school. Through hands-on activities students identify their personal strengths, explore key skills needed to be successful in the world of work, and meet “Living Library Books”, local professionals who share the stories of their working lives and the career paths they’ve taken. The program is made possible through our partnership with Youthrive, local businesses, tertiary institutions and schools.
“The students were so engaged and really loved all the activities. Probably more substantial were the conversations these students were having around the activities….it has opened the students’ minds to possibilities.” – Teacher
Full Impact Squad
Full Impact Squad is a community approach co-designed and co-delivered by local young people, Tomorrow Today and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria to increase the power, agency and aspiration of Benalla’s youth.
Full Impact provides leadership and community development training to empower young people to have more input into community decision making and local issues.
“I decided to join the Full Impact Squad because I thought I could make a difference, and help people find a voice on things which matter to them.” – Full Impact Squad member
Hands on Learning
We all learn in different ways. And for some young people, the best way is hands on!
Hands on Learning assists young people who do not cope well in traditional classroom settings to develop practical skills that will help them to succeed in life. The program aims to prevent early school leaving. Students work in small groups with a teacher and an artisan/trades-person on authentic real-world projects that will benefit their school and the wider community. The program is currently running at Benalla P-12 College and Benalla Flexible Learning Centre.
“It’s his favourite day at school. He would do Hands on Learning everyday if he could” – parent
Motiv8
Motiv8 is a new program developed by Tomorrow Today for Year 8 students. It’s designed to improve student wellbeing and their engagement in education and community. Over three terms, groups of four Year 8 students are teamed with an adult leader (honcho) to complete a range of hands-on activities and fun challenges.
The program is expected to commence in Term 2, 2025.
We are currently seeking volunteer ‘honchos’ for the inital program.
Connect9
We all need at least one positive person in our lives. A person who believes in us, watches out for us, and helps us develop aspirations for the future.
Connect9 is a unique ten-week mentoring program, developed by Tomorrow Today. Students in Year 9 level of schooling are matched with a well-connected community mentor who is their ‘buddy’ through the program. Together they participate in activities that connect young people to new skills, sports and hobbies and new people and experiences, as well as giving them the opportunity to set life and career goals.
“If I needed someone to talk to… I would talk to my mentor.” – Mentee
Hands on Trades Expo
The Hands On Trades Expo at Winton Motor Raceway enables young people to try out various trade activities while finding out about trade career pathways on offer in the North East of Victoria. Tomorrow Today is an active member of the organising committee and contributes staff and financial resources.
University Bus Trips
Our university bus trips are a fantastic way for Year 10 and 11s to see what life is like at university. Remoteness from big cities, lack of reliable transport options and reduced economic circumstances mean that country students often struggle to explore all available options for further study. Participating in these tours, young people are able to see universities in action and visit lecture theatres, recreation and accommodation facilities.
Year 12 Scholarships
Tomorrow Today annually awards $2,000 scholarships to four Year 12 students, two from Benalla P-12 College and two from FCJ College, to assist them with the costs involved in transitioning to future study.
“My daughter is immensely grateful. It is going to make a huge difference. After having a gap year last year, moving to a new town, having no work, plus the added stresses that 2020 gave us, this was one great thing that has helped relieve some tension” – parent
Financial Assistance
Thanks to the generosity of local donors, Tomorrow Today is able to support young people with financial assistance for educational costs.
Families experiencing financial disadvantage may be eligible to receive funding assistance to purchase uniforms, spectacles, books, course fees, school camps, educational equipment and fees for special educational settings. This assistance ensures all Benalla children are able to fully participate in school activities.
Tomorrow Today works with local referral agencies, including all schools to provide necessary support for educational costs. We do not accept direct requests.
Families from Benalla and district with a pension or health care card are offered financial assistance to enable their children to join a local sport or hobby club of their choice.
The ongoing support of the Foundation of Regional Rural Renewal (FRRR), means we can distribute $50 Back To School vouchers to local schools to assist families to purchase school essentials.
“The voucher has been terrific. My granddaughter was kicked out of home with nothing. She wasn’t able to go back to collect her clothes. She was able to continue attending school throughout the upheaval, knowing she had a full uniform to wear. Thank you!” – Financial Assistance recipient
Come and Try Day
Participating in sport and other recreation activities in the community helps young people improve their health and wellbeing and importantly keeps them engaged with school and learning.
Tomorrow Today, in partnership with local sports and recreation clubs, runs an annual ‘Come and Try Day’. This event provides a great opportunity for local children to try out many activities at the one location, free of charge.
In addition, we provide financial assistance to families with a pension or health care card to assist their children to participate in ongoing activity.
In 2024, the event included a Youth Careers Expo in collaboration with Victorian Aboriginal Child & Community Agency (VACCA).
