With a helping hand from Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider, VERTO, social enterprise BackTrack Works has signed up six new full-time Rural Operations trainees as part of their ongoing commitment to guiding struggling youth through their education and employment journeys.
Located in Armidale, BackTrack Works assists young people (12-19) who may be falling through the cracks, through their mission to educate, upskill and, often, accommodate the youth in their care. The six new trainees will undertake a fully accredited Certificate II or III in Rural Operations, which takes the number of trainees and apprentices employed at BackTrack Works to over 30.
The students will spend their time working in the fabrication shop - building gates, panels, ute trays and cattlegrids. They will also assist in building small homes for young people experiencing homelessness to live in, and recently they have helped mend fences for people impacted by the 2020 bushfires.
BackTrack Works Social Enterprise Manager, Marcus Watson, recognises the importance of working with an apprenticeship provider who supports students from commencement to completion.
“Our Indigenous and school-leaver retention rate is currently above the national average and that is because of the intense support the young people receive while in our care,” Mr Watson said.
“With the right support, like the support we receive from VERTO, we will continue to achieve these results and get the young people through their qualifications, get them job-ready and onto a path to success.”
VERTO’s Chief Executive Officer, Ron Maxwell, said, “VERTO and BackTrack Works are both dedicated to providing training and education opportunities that change lives,” he said.
“The work the team at BackTrack Works is doing is inspirational, and VERTO is really proud to play a small part in the journey these young people are taking.
“I have no doubt we are going to see some incredibly talented young people come out of BackTrack Works in the future.”
To find out more about BackTrack Works or to make a donation, visit www.backtrack.org.au. For all your apprenticeship and training needs, visit www.verto.org.au.
