Indigenous youth from South-East Queensland are invited to dream big and jump-start their future through an innovative new program.Through a range of focused activities and personal experiences, each of the youth who join the Future Indigenous Leaders Program will be given the opportunity to not only formulate and plan their future, but to gain invaluable life skills to achieve their dreams.

The program focuses on personal and professional development, with an emphasis on project management. As the name implies, young people gearing up to start life after school will benefit from the Future Indigenous Leaders Program – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The project is funded through the Queensland office of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), and sponsored by John Pearson Consulting (JPC) in cooperation with a number of partners including the Department of Education and Training's Indigenous Education Unit, the University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, Acclaim Apprenticeships and Trainees, and Look Now Training and Employment Services.

The Future Indigenous Leaders Program is just one of many projects currently undertaken by JPC as the Sunshine Coast-based organisation continues to play a leading role in seeing Australia's first people, wherever they live, to realise their full potential and have the same opportunities as other Australians.

Who is this program for?

• Youth who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders
• Currently attending Year 11 or Year 12 at a high school between and including Pine Rivers and Bundaberg.
• Applications are currently closed and our current program intakes are full. Please keep in touch as we will open intakes in the near future.

Who are our program partners?

The quality and scope of the training and the potential benefits will give all participants an unprecedented boost to their personal and professional lives. It is also designed to fit-in and complement school work.

Highlights of the program include:

• The entire program is free-of-charge to successful applicants
• Two five-day retreats are on the Sunshine Coast, giving participants exposure to some of the most inspirational minds in the country (all transport, accommodation and meal expenses covered)
• Workshops on small business establishment and entrepreneurship, personal values, vision and goal setting, and cultural identity
• A Certificate IV in Project Management (which can contribute to OP Score, QCE or Rank)
• Guidance in creating a personal development plan
• Being assigned with a personal mentor/career coach
• Access to an alumni program.