MORE than 60 Year 11 and 12 Indigenous young people from Pine Rivers to Bundaberg are taking their futures seriously.
These young people are taking time out of their school holidays and weekends, amidst their busy final years of schooling, to take part in a unique personal and professional development initiative, developed and run by John Pearson Consulting.

With an eye on life after school and developing their potential, the participants of the Future Indigenous Leaders program have attended a series of camps and training weekends while they could easily be spending the time partying or holidaying.

The Future Indigenous Leaders Program, the first of its type in the state, is giving these youth the opportunity to glean from a broad cross section of guest speakers, as well as the opportunity to gain a Certificate IV in Project Management.

Earning the certificate will contribute toward their OP score, and the program is specifically designed to fit around school commitments.

Throughout two-four day camps held earlier this year, the young people were addressed by local Indigenous leaders, entrepreneurs, career advisors and various motivational speakers.

There was also time for outdoor activities, team building exercises and physical challenges such as traversing high ropes, canoeing, archery and camp fires.

For many, the camps presented a rare opportunity to not only re-connect with Indigenous culture, but also to network with like-minded youth who share a common heritage.

Since the camps, the youth have attended weekend retreats where the focus has turned to earning the qualification in Project Management and continuing to build their relationships with each other.

"The feedback we have received from both the young people and the Indigenous supervisors we have engaged for the project has been outstanding," said Tim Robson, General Manager of John Pearson Consulting.

"Many came up to the supervisors afterwards and commented on the wealth of opportunity that was presented to them at the camp and what a great chance it was to mix with people from similar backgrounds and discuss their life-long goals.

"We have enjoyed watching the progress of the participants as they move towards their goals so they can be the best they can be in their chosen field.

"The original purpose of the program was to increase retention rates at school and support participants into their chosen pathway whether it be employment, TAFE, University or business, and this is what we are seeing fulfilled."

The young people were originally nominated for the program by parents, teachers and Indigenous Community Advisors from schools throughout the south-east.

The Future Leaders Project is funded through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and is sponsored by John Pearson Consulting (JPC) in cooperation with a number of partners, including the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, Department of Education and Training and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

JPC hopes to replicate this program in other regions throughout Queensland.