Serco has provided A$100,000 of support to academies operated by the Clontarf Foundation which assists young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men with finding education and employment opportunities across Australia.
The partnership which runs throughout 2024 and 2025 will see the support services company continue to support opportunities with academy students to build relationships, break down barriers, reduce stereotyping and enable positive interactions across the community.
With Serco providing a boost in funding to our academies combined with their staff being involved in breakfasts, training programmes, award nights and regional carnivals we are on a path to success.
Serco AsPac National Manager Indigenous Affairs & Connection, Andrew Bartha has been leading the way in student engagement with the Clontarf Academies helping students build their social skills, confidence and increase their understanding of the opportunities available to them.
She says: “There is nothing more important to our young people than feeling supported and valued as they transition through from the teenage years to adulthood,’ said Mr Bartha.
“I work with the students to help them understand what it means to be part of culturally safe places and communities where First Nations peoples are empowered to be their true selves. I am honoured in my role to connect and show them the impact positive relationships can have on their personal journeys.”
Clontarf Foundation CEO, Gerard Neesham, identifies ‘engaging interactions’ between Serco staff and the students at the academies as key to the programme’s success.
He adds: “Since we first took a group to visit one of Serco’s major sites in 2020, there has been dedication from Serco staff to be actively involved in the lives and journeys of our academy members.
“With Serco providing a boost in funding to our academies combined with their staff being involved in breakfasts, training programmes, award nights and regional carnivals we are on a path to success. The opportunities for our academy members to interact with new people, places and situations is key to achieving positive outcomes.”
Serco’s J&I Managing Director, Michael Strickland, says said Serco’s ongoing support of the Clontarf Foundation will see this year’s financial contribution go directly into the running of the 158 academies across Australia.
“Serco’s partnership in 2023 saw A$50,000 injected into programs and this year we are proud to have been able to double that amount and provide support to more than 11,000 Clontarf academy members,” Mr Strickland said.
“I have personally seen the positive impact of Clontarf’s academies, with several of their members graduating and becoming valued trainees and apprentices within Serco.
“We hope the continuation of this important partnership will see more opportunities for education and employment pathways for all Clontarf academy members.”