Don't let the quiet exterior fool you, thanks to the Future Indigenous Leaders Program (FILP), Jardi Davidson has discovered both his Indigenous heritage and a passion for learning.

"My family did talk a little about our culture with me when I was a bit younger, but I wasn't ready to learn at that stage," Jardi said.

"Since doing this program I am really interested to learn more about my culture.

"I have found out that I am part of the Gubbi Gubbi people who are traditional owners of the land on the Sunshine Coast, which is really something special."
Discovering his heritage is not the only thing Jardi will take away from the Future Indigenous Leaders Program, he will graduate with a Certificate IV in Project Management and career goals he never thought possible.

"I found school really difficult so I just stopped going," Jardi said.

"The Future Indigenous Leaders Program has made me realise that I can learn and succeed.

"I am really interested in furthering my education, hopefully at university, and I'd like to focus on Indigenous studies.

"If I'm given permission I eventually want to be able to perform our Welcome to Country and am also working with Kerry Neill from the Kabi Kabi people so that I will be able to perform our traditional dances, gain more knowledge about our heritage and take care of our lands."

John Pearson Consulting Project Officer/Mentor Terri Waller couldn't be more proud of the success Jardi has achieved.

"I am so excited for Jardi," Ms Waller said.

"I had the pleasure of tutoring Jardi for a short time in primary school and I sensed his potential then.

"Jardi has shown how solid he is by jumping at the opportunity to be part of this program and he has gone from strength to strength.

"In all my experiences with Jardi he has always given anything ago.

"I knew taking on a Certificate IV level qualification was going to be a challenge, but he has persevered submitting every assessment task that was required."

Jardi is one of the participants set to graduate from the Future Indigenous Leaders Program run by John Pearson Consulting.

The twelve month program provides Indigenous youth with the opportunity to complete a Certificate IV in Project Management, with the course being delivered via an approach which incorporates face-to-face and group training and weekend workshop retreats.

The program was developed to help Indigenous youth realise their full potential and Ms Waller has witnessed first hand the impact it has had on the participants.

"As a mentor for FILP I work closely with the participants to identify any issues that may prohibit them from completing the program or have any negative impacts on their journey," Ms Waller said.

"I endeavour to encourage and inspire them to take themselves confidently forward into the world to discover what gives them satisfaction and happiness.

"The best thing for me about mentoring youth like Jardi is being around to watch the breaching of the walls that hold back their flow, whether it is a trickle or a gush or somewhere in between.

"It is my intention to find as many opportunities as possible for Jardi and I hope that others join me in his journey.

"Jardi has expressed a desire to do conservation work and undertake further studies on his Goorie/Gubbi Gubbi Indigenous Heritage any opportunity to encourage this would be wonderful for him."

For further information on training opportunities available through John Pearson Consulting please call (07) 5313 8600 or visit www.jpearson.com.au