Bendigo’s business council Be.Bendigo, who facilitate the GROW Bendigo initiative, launched the GROW Mentoring Program this year at the Emporium Creative Hub. The program aims at providing a pathway for at-risk young people to transition into employment.
GROW Bendigo is a Victorian Government funded program designed to activate growth and employment across our community by developing and facilitating programs with businesses and agencies to support people to successfully join the workforce. The GROW Mentor program is strongly supported by the city’s youth team, Yo Bendigo.
The GROW Mentoring Program supports a group of young people paired up with someone experienced in the workforce, from businesses such as ANZ, Bendigo Bank, Bendigo Telco, Coliban Water and ESE Recruitment, over a six-month period.
“We are very excited to have launched this program which is specifically designed to assist young people who might otherwise struggle to become employed for a variety of reasons. It’s wonderful to see businesses supporting their staff in providing mentorship for young people,” explained Petra McLoughlin, GROW Project Manager.
The mentors have been selected for their life and work experience and provide advice about the next steps on how to join the workforce if desired.
“Providing youth with access to a more mature mentor who has already navigated that transition, will help them separate their fears from reality and take a positive step forward,” Petra continued.
During the program, the mentors meet with their young person at least once a month, to work on creating a plan for the young person to work towards becoming employed.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Chief People Officer, Louise Tebbutt, said the bank was thrilled to be involved and play its part in fostering a more inclusive society.
“Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is pleased to get behind the GROW Mentoring Program with nine staff volunteering their time. This initiative speaks to a number of the core values of our business and our purpose of feeding into the prosperity of the community.”
