VPG - Vocational Partnerships Group Inc - Cairns

Vocational Partnerships Group (VPG) is a not-for-profit organisation that has been transforming the lives of children, young people, and families for over 20 years. We proudly serve the communities of Far North Queensland in Cairns, Atherton, Yarrabah, Innisfail, and Mareeba.

Our core service is achieved through the delivery of our programs.

Youth Transition Programs: Our youth transition programs build on young peoples’ strengths, interests, and talents, promoting confidence and resilience. We equip youth with the skills needed to achieve education and employment success, encouraging them to make informed choices about their future pathways.

Skilling Young People: Under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work Initiative, VPG delivers the Get Set For Work and Ready For Work programs, providing Young People the opportunity to participate in accredited training, work readiness and work experience placements.

• Ready For Work provides job search assistance and employability skills training to eligible young people aged 15–24 years who are ready to transition into the workforce. Support can include: careers advice, resume preparation, interview skills, job search support, employability skills development.
• Get Set For Work provides intensive employment and training assistance to young people aged 15-19 who have left school early or at risk of disengaging from education. Through the program young people receive integrated learning support, career advice, job preparation skills, case management and Nationally recognised training.

Indigenous Youth Transitions: VPG works collaboratively with local communities to provide a range of support for Indigenous Youth, both through general and Indigenous specific programs. Acknowledging the importance of cultural understanding, VPG is committed to delivering culturally appropriate support matched to individual needs, interests, and aspirations. VPG’s First Nations Leadership Team provide guidance and advice about the presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, strengthening cultural safety within service delivery.

Supporting Children & Young People On The Tablelands: Tablelands Youth Support (TYS) program is an initiative of VPG, supporting young people in the Tablelands community. TYS provides support to young people 8-21 years of age to help them achieve positive life outcomes and connect with supports in the local community.

Improving Student Mental Health and Wellbeing: Committed to improving the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of young people in our community, Student Wellbeing Officers are based at local schools in Cairns and the Tablelands to support young people and their families to develop social and emotional skills to build resilience and promote positive relationships.

Working within a school support team delivering services to students in Prep to Year 7, key responsibilities of Student Wellbeing Officers include:

• Equipping children with skills and knowledge that support learning, positive behaviour and constructive social relationships.
• Deliver social skills programs in response to specific needs.
• Build the capacity of children/young people to engage effectively in learning.
• Contribute to a supportive school environment.
• Engage with families connecting them with information and support services

Strengthening families and children: VPG’s Every Family initiative is a free service delivered across the Tablelands and Cassowary Coast supporting families to improve children’s wellbeing and development for all parents/carers of children 0-12 years. The Every Family program works with families to recognise and develop their parenting skills, increase their knowledge of child development and create opportunities for resource sharing & support.

Creating safer communities: RespectMe is a free best-practice respectful relationship and violence prevention education program. The program is delivered within school-sites and organisations to produce lasting change in attitudes and behaviours and build a culture of respect, responsibility and support, creating safer communities now and in the future.

Connecting young people with careers: VPG facilitates high quality work experience placements for youth, schools, agencies and employers. VPG have been coordinating work placements within Far North Queensland for 17 years, partnering with over 5,000 local employers.

For more information, please visit our website on www.vpginc.com.au