btg annual report 2011-2012

Annual Report 2012

Care Innovation Teamwork Challenge Empowerment

Our Vision

Empowering people, building communities.

Our Mission

To bridge the gap and build communities by

empowering disadvantaged and

disenfranchised individuals to build their self

sufficiency through social inclusion, practical

training and enhanced employment

opportunities.

Annual Report 2011-2012 v4 of 27

Report from the Chair & CEO .................................................................................................................. 4

Financial Report .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Our Management Team ............................................................................................................................ 7

Colin Kerr Chief Executive Officer ..................................................................................................................................................7

Linda Colley Youth & Community Manager ..................................................................................................................................7

Andy Wahid Business Development Manager & Program Manager, Crossing Point Leader’s Academy .......................................8

Haroon Khan AFAIM, CAHRI Business Manager (Training & Career Development) & Senior Human Resources Advisor ............8

Jane McWhirter Regional Manager – Job Services Australia .........................................................................................................9

Vicki Abel Corporate Services Manager .........................................................................................................................................9

Tracey Davenport Accountant CPA ACMA MSc...........................................................................................................................10

Peter Bird Manager, Ngulla Community Nursery ........................................................................................................................10

Our Board ................................................................................................................................................... 11

Bruce Cairns Chairman ................................................................................................................................................................11

Evan Parker Vice Chair ................................................................................................................................................................11

Brad Dean Treasurer ...................................................................................................................................................................11

Colin Kerr Secretary and Chief Executive Officer .........................................................................................................................12

Lorraine Dunkling Director ..........................................................................................................................................................12

Barry Sammels Director ..............................................................................................................................................................12

Dr. Paul Anderson Director ..........................................................................................................................................................13

Darren Munday Director ..............................................................................................................................................................13

Wayne Milnes Director ................................................................................................................................................................14

Allan Meney Director ...................................................................................................................................................................14

Michael McCafferty Director ........................................................................................................................................................15

Our Programs and Services .................................................................................................................. 16

A New App – Crime Prevention ................................................................................................................... 16

ASPIRE [previously Kwinana Families Community Partnership Project (KFCP)] .......................................... 16

Crossing Point Leader’s Academy (CPLA) .................................................................................................... 17

EYEs (Early Youth Engagement) ................................................................................................................... 17

FUELLS ......................................................................................................................................................... 18

Indigenous Employment Program (IEP)....................................................................................................... 18

Job Services Australia (JSA).......................................................................................................................... 18

New Leaf ...................................................................................................................................................... 19

Ngulla Community Nursery ......................................................................................................................... 19

Teen Parent’s Program ................................................................................................................................ 20

Training & Career Development .................................................................................................................. 20


YEiS (Youth Engagement in Skills)................................................................................................................ 21

Youth Connections ...................................................................................................................................... 21

Good News Stories & Case Studies ..................................................................................................... 22

“Adam” ........................................................................................................................................................................................22

“Sam” ...........................................................................................................................................................................................23

“Ashe” ..........................................................................................................................................................................................23

“Ashlee” .......................................................................................................................................................................................24

Strategic Plan 2012 - 2017 [Extract only] ....................................................................................... 25

1. Our Vision ............................................................................................................................................ 25

2. Our Mission ......................................................................................................................................... 25

3. Our Planning Process ........................................................................................................................... 25

4. Our Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 25

Partners & Sponsors ............................................................................................................................... 26


Report from the Chair & CEO

The world around us is continually changing and over the past twelve months there have been significant

impacts for people accessing employment. For example, the ageing population considering retirement or a

reduction in working hours, skills shortages, an increasing labour shortage and the effects of the global

financial crisis are all evident.

The federal government will soon award the contract for disability employment services, implement a

newly devised remote jobs and community service and review the Job Services Australia model. New

surveys in the south west metropolitan region have noted these impacts and the view of employers is that

people applying for positions are well below their requirements and more often than not, are lacking in

interpersonal skills, rather than vocational skills.

Our management have a renewed focus on the changes that impact the alignment and delivery of our

services to local communities. This will ensure Bridging the Gap continues to deliver appropriate services

to the most disadvantaged, whilst also providing competent staff to support local business as part of our

wider contribution to the community.

The services Bridging the Gap have delivered throughout 2011-12 continued at a high quality, with our

Services team achieving a five star rating - the highest level possible. Additionally, we have been

acknowledged as a leader in Western Australia in our delivery of programs to schools. Furthermore,

initiatives to address intergenerational families in Kwinana and school leavers unable to access

employment have both enjoyed great success and made a difference to those who have participated.

Partnerships play an integral role in the way we deliver our programs, and this year three new alliances

with Dismantle, John Tonkin College and Swan Emergency have resulted in delivery of three exciting new

services to our youth. In Kwinana with Dismantle we have successfully engaged with young people to

undertake a bicycle renovation project where participants learn the process for up-cycling two old and

discarded bikes, one they keep for themselves and one they donate to a community member. This project

also includes career counselling and discussions with the youth on their future aspirations and employment

plans. In Mandurah, John Tonkin College identified a need to provide additional support to students as well

as to train teachers with new skills. Bridging the Gap were successful in securing a grant to support an

initiative that included training for the teacher and career counselling for the students. Lastly, we partnered

with Swan Emergency to provide a service for Indigenous youth in literacy and numeracy, which will

improve their potential to enter the workforce.

In the environment sector we saw thirteen teams and 130 participants in the National Green Jobs Corps

program, enabling a significant amount of work to be completed at Fairbridge, Ngulla Community Nursery,

Boddington and Armadale, as well as providing entry to employment and training for 85 of the young

people. Nationally, the average success rate for this program was 16%, compared to the 65% achieved by

Bridging the Gap, proving once again our focus on outcomes achieves unmatched results.


A highlight for the year for our Indigenous Employment Program was their involvement with The

Endeavour replica sailing ship, with eight of our youth boarding the vessel for ten days of adventure,

learning and leadership development, before refocussing their energies to progress with their chosen

career paths, completing a Certificate 1 in Workplace Skills as part of the program.

Our Indigenous Employment Program also enabled a further 21 young people to transition to employment

or training. Of these, three were successfully placed in FIFO (Fly In Fly Out) positions, with a further five

placed into traineeships.. The remainder have entered work in a variety of positions.

Our continued focus on assisting young people through our Crossing Point Leaders Academy concept saw

75 youth attend one of four, 7-day residentials held throughout the year. Each residential includes a 46km

trek down the Bibbulmun Track, affording each participant an opportunity to address any personal barriers

to employment and to plan for their immediate future. The 7-day trek is complemented by career

counselling, goal setting exercises and planning to progress each individual’s chosen career path. Since the

commencement of this initiative, 185 youth have completed the program and within six months, 85% of

those youth have achieved their desired goal of employment or entry to training of their choice. This year

also saw a specific residential for 27 Indigenous youth from the Northern Territory, with seven of those

young people progressing to a 10-week overseas residential in Sabah, Borneo.

A further highlight for the year was a visit by The Hon. Kate Ellis MP (Minister for Employment Participation

and Early Childhood & Childcare) in July to attend an employer breakfast in Mandurah. Funded by DEEWR

through the Local Employment Coordinator Flexible Funding Pool initiative as part of the Youth

Engagement in Skills (YEiS) project, the breakfast was attended not only by Minister Ellis, but also by Gary

Gray MP AO, and over 100 local employers. An expert panel was assembled for the breakfast including Dr.

Clare Allen (Socialite Media), Tanya-Marie Den Boer (WA Young Retailer of the Year) and our very own

Caroline Marshall, Special Projects Coordinator for Youth & Community Services.

Early in 2012 our Chief Executive Officer was appointed by the Minister of Human Services to sit on a Local

Advisory Group tasked with developing and implementing a strategic plan to address barriers confronting

people in Kwinana from accessing employment. This three year initiative will see the group place

recommendations for funding to local organisations to deliver services which will address specific issues,

with a view to raising Kwinana from the low base it presently endures.

As we enter the 2012-13 financial year, the management team and staff are preparing to explore our

renewed strategic approach to services and how we may better address the needs of our communities and

better target our resources. Financially, our organisation has grown and we have plans to continue

strengthening the organisation next year look forward to further success.

Finally, it is appropriate to thank our Board of Directors for their guidance and support over the past year,

as well as our staff who continue to deliver quality services that see us placed in a solid position financially

and operationally for the future.


Financial Report

See overleaf for a copy of the Special Purpose Financial Report for the year ended 30 June 2012.


Our Management Team

Colin Kerr Chief Executive Officer

With over 36 years in the Employment Services Industry in both Federal Government and community based organisations, Colin has a strong commitment to people and is committed to delivering services to the community, particularly for youth who he sees as our future. Colin joined Bridging the Gap in 1997 when there were just three staff and has successfully guided the organisation's growth to over 65 staff, delivering a diverse range of programs and services. Presently he is a Board Director of South West Corridor Employment Development Foundation, Koorliny Arts Centre and Outdoors WA.

Email: [email protected]

Linda Colley Youth & Community Manager

Advanced Diploma in Management Emigrating from Zimbabwe in 1998 with her family, Linda joined Bridging the Gap in 2000 after undertaking a work experience opportunity. Linda’s prior experience in Africa with companies such as Barclays Bank International, Sun International and Leather Ware House have equipped her with a unique insight into different cultures - a major plus for an organisation with such a diverse clientele. During her 11 years with BTG, Linda has attained her Diploma in Employment Services as well as a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Career Development. Further to this, she has obtained qualifications in Counselling, and Management techniques. Linda’s current role as Manager of Youth and Community has further developed her multi-task skill set, most notably in the area of planning and delivery of programs where she applies her drive and initiative to get programs and ideas off the ground.


mailto:[email protected]



Andy Wahid Business Development Manager & Program Manager, Crossing Point Leader’s Academy

Andy is Bridging the Gap’s Head of Youth Development and manages the Crossing Point Leaders Academy (CPLA) program. Andy has extensive experience in youth development and corporate learning and development. Prior to joining Bridging the Gap, Andy led 10-week youth leadership expeditions across the globe for UK based organisation, Raleigh International and was responsible for developing partnerships across sectors as Head of Business Development. Presently, Andy is developing CPLA to deliver high impact skills and aspirational development to young participants, with valuable learning and development opportunities to employees in a unique multi-faceted package.


Haroon Khan AFAIM, CAHRI Business Manager (Training & Career Development) & Senior Human Resources Advisor

M.HR&IR, M.Psych, P.GDip.HRM, B.Sc, CertIV TAA. Haroon began his career as a tax officer in the Central Superior Services of Pakistan. His experience includes over 20 years in senior management positions including Additional Commissioner of Income- Tax in the Federal Board of Revenue. He immigrated to Australia in 2003 and worked as independent business consultant advocating Australian model of technical and further education in Pakistan and Kashmir. Haroon’s academic qualifications include a Master of Psychology, Master of Human Resources and Industrial relations, Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources and a Bachelor of Science. He is a Certified Professional Member of the Australian Human Resources Institute (CAHRI) and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (AFAIM). In addition he is also a certified Trainer holding Certificate IV Training and Assessment with expertise in Strategic Human Resource Management and Organisational Development. Haroon joined BTG in Jan 2010 and is passionate about bridging the gap between youth and employment through training and career development interventions.





Jane McWhirter Regional Manager – Job Services Australia

Moving to Australia over thirty years ago with her family, Jane brought with her thirteen years experience as a qualified nurse, resulting in several job offers in Australia. Jane’s additionally qualifications include a Diploma in Business Management, a Diploma in Employment Services and registration as a qualified Workplace Trainer & Assessor. “Spending five years working in the Northern Territory was the best experience of my life”, says Jane. “Learning to adapt to the vast cultural changes, not to mention the picturesque geographic scenes, was just amazing.” Almost 14 years working with Bridging The Gap/JobFutures, Jane has seen many changes particularly in the growth of the organisation. Having over 20 years experience working with the not-for-profit sector assisting both employers and unemployed people meet their recruitment needs has been a great challenge with many heartfelt “good news” stories to tell. Managing four offices from Perth to Rockingham and with over 26 staff, Jane is constantly on the road. “Maintaining a Leading JSA service for many years within the Community has seen many challenges, but the success stories is worth it all” says Jane.


Vicki Abel Corporate Services Manager

Vicki joined BTG in 2003 when the organisation had just 18 employees and has been delighted to be part of the growth of an outstanding, community based organisation. Attaining her Diploma in Human Resources Management in 2009 has enabled her to further support the team in this growth. Vicki brings extensive experience in finance for the not-for-profit sector, including five years as a bookkeeper reporting to Government agencies in the health industry, during which time she achieved her Advanced Diploma of Accounting. Vicki is passionate about the community and people and positioning Bridging the Gap as an employer of choice in the South West Corridor of Perth. At present, Vicki’s portfolio includes Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology and Operations.





Tracey Davenport Accountant CPA ACMA MSc

Tracey relocated to Perth in 2007 and brings with her 10 years experience from the not-for-profit sector in the UK. Tracey has a Masters Degree in Charity Accounting and Financial Management and in addition to her services at BTG, operates her own business from home providing short-term, furnished accommodation to new immigrants in Australia.


Peter Bird Manager, Ngulla Community Nursery

Peter is responsible for the day to day operations of BTG’s wholesale plant propagation nursery, situated on Born Road in Casuarina. Peter has many years experience in the industry. Qualified with a Diploma in Horticulture, Certificate 3 in Conservation and Land Management and Certificate 4 in Landscape Design, Peter Bird has been project managing Ngulla Community Nursery and providing Certificate 4 level training and assessment for BTG clients for the past seven years. Peter's resume includes eight years of service as a Senior Government Officer in Disability Services Employment, with a further 24 years as an Owner/Operator of a commercial tree farm and producer of cut flowers and wildflowers for the trade. Additionally, Peter owned and operated a commercial and home landscape design and implementation service based in the south west of Western Australia, and served as a Foundation Member of both the Small Tree Growers Association and Manjimup Land Care District Council.





Our Board

Bruce Cairns Chairman

An owner/operator with 35+ years experience in electrical contracting, Bruce also has a long history of community service, having been involved with Rotary for over 30 years. Bruce is a former President of the Roleystone Country Club and Roleystone Football Club where he lived before relocating to Rockingham with his wife Judith.

Evan Parker Vice Chair

Evan is an Accountant and consultant in Finance, Training and Employment to State and Local Government clients. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UWA; is a Fellow of CPA Australia and an Associate of the Australian Institute of Management. Evan spent a decade in the Banking Industry before joining TAFE to lecture in Accounting, Commercial Law and Management and then to become an Academic Administrator in a range of city and country colleges. Evan held a variety of Senior positions in TAFE including Navy Training Manager, Director of Business Development, Chief Financial Officer and Director of IT and Business.

Brad Dean Treasurer

Brad joined the board of Bridging the Gap in 2011 and is the current Treasurer and a member of the Audit & Risk committee. Living in the region for 19 years, Brad has been an active member of the community holding executive positions on The South Coast Regional Chambers of Commerce, The Rockingham Community Bank, and numerous smaller local organisations. Brad is a director of local accounting firm, BDR Business Accountants and is a current member of the CPA Australia’s WA Public Practice Committee. Outside of work Brad is heavily involved with the Variety Bash which is an annual event to raise and distribute much needed funds for needy and disadvantaged children.


Colin Kerr Secretary and Chief Executive Officer

Colin serves as both the Secretary to the Board of Directors and the CEO of Bridging the Gap. Having worked in the community and employment sectors for many years, Colin has partnered with a number of community organisations and his passion to support young people is evidenced by the variety of initiatives he has implemented.

Lorraine Dunkling Director

A Rockingham City Councillor, Lorraine has an interest in community issues and service to the community. .She has been active in the Lions Club as well as previously serving on Bridging the Gap’s Board. She bring a broad knowledge of the community to her role as a Board member.

Barry Sammels Director

Barry is passionate about developing the local community and his mission is to work in partnership with the people of Rockingham to create an inclusive community in a leading City with a relaxed coastal lifestyle. Barry has a good understanding of the needs of the local community and he has been a local business owner and resident of the Rockingham area for more than 25 years, Mayor of the City for 9 years and a Councillor for 15 years. He Chairs of a number of committees which focus on climate change, community safety and major projects in the area. He is committed to building stronger partnerships with state and federal government.


Dr. Paul Anderson Director

Paul joined Bridging the Gap in 2009 and has participated as both a Non-Executive Director and member of the Governance and Audit & Risk Committees. A resident of the City of Rockingham, Paul operates his own business – Sound Governance – a specialist governance and business sustainability consultancy. Prior to joining Bridging the Gap, Paul served as the Non-Executive Director and Treasurer for the South Coast Business Development Organisation, Chairperson for the Rockingham Kwinana Business Networking Group and Non-Executive Director for the Family Planning Association of WA. Paul’s experience in community organisations and his expertise in the field of corporate and business governance are an invaluable asset to BTG.

Darren Munday Director

Darren is currently the Manager – People & Operations at the Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS). His role focuses on strategy implementation with particular focus on improvements in performance development and risk management. Previous to WACOSS Darren was the Director - Student Life and Learning at Murdoch University. His diverse portfolio included social inclusion, the management of credit bearing units, enabling programs, student transition and retention, health & counselling, sports & recreation, student management systems, and transactional student administration. Darren is on the board of the sustainable education organisation Be Living Smart and is a former Murdoch University Senate member. Darren holds a Bachelor of Business, major in accounting and is currently for a Masters of Business Administration. Darren is also a Fellow of Leadership WA and has completed the AICD Company Directors Course.


Wayne Milnes Director

Wayne has a wealth o f experience in the finance and commercial sectors, having spent 30 plus years with National Australia Bank, 15 of those in the position of Commercial Business Manager. Wayne retired from the banking industry in 2009 to spend time with his lovely wife Suzanne, enjoying golf and basketball – a sport he has been dedicated to for 36 years. In 2012, Wayne re-joined the workforce on a part-time basis as a Business Agent for Harcourt Real Estate in Kwinana and is also a West Australian Consultant for Melbourne Company Mortgagee Services.

Allan Meney Director

Allan Meney is an experienced Education and Curriculum Consultant and Primary and Secondary School Principal. His focus is upon the promotion of student Career Development, Personal Development, Financial Literacy and Life-long Learning Skills. This includes extensive partnerships with fellow experienced Business/Industry Leaders providing valuable learning and work experience for students. Allan was foundation Principal of Murdoch College, a private secondary school located on the Murdoch University Campus in Perth, Australia. He is a former Senior Program Officer in Career Development with the Department of Education, Western Australia, former Director of Swanleigh Residential College, Perth and was also the foundation Principal of six distinct secondary schools in British Columbia, Canada focused upon each student’s total personal development and career development skills. Allan also served as a full-time Curriculum Consultant with the British Columbia Ministry of Education.


Michael McCafferty Director

Michael has over 25 years experience in the hospitality industry, with experience in small business and the corporate environment. For the past 10 years Michael has built and managed Prestige Catering and Event Hire. A Rockingham resident for the last 20 years, Michael is active in the local community and is a board member of the Rotary Club of Palm Beach as well as former Vice President of the South Coast Regional Chamber of Commerce, prior to which he was a director of the Australian Culinary Federation. With a background in training and development, he has taken a keen interest in the career development of youth and joined Bridging the Gap’s Board of Directors in May, 2012.


Our Programs and Services

A New App – Crime Prevention

A New App was designed by Bridging the Gap in response to crime prevention priorities in Rockingham and Mandurah which include reducing and addressing drug and alcohol related crime.

The project aims to reduce the occurrence of community violence and assaults and develop the knowledge and skills of young people to avoid the use and tolerance of violence. Key objectives of the project are to educate, raise awareness and provide skills to our youth that will enable them to better identify high risk situations and to reduce the likelihood of placing themselves in risky situations that are likely to result in violent confrontation.

The 15-week project begins with a 4-day Residential camp for 24 participants facilitated by staff from Bridging the Gap and members of the WA Police Force, who as a group will partake in a variety of activities that focus on teamwork, effective communication, problem solving and conflict resolution. Participants will then complete 11 one-day-per-week development days at BTG which include a group excursion to the Royal Perth Hospital “PARTY” program to introduce them to the impact of binge drinking and drug abuse from a patient perspective, and ongoing support and assistance for preparation into employment or training.

Program Manager: Linda Colley | Program Support Officer: Tracey Wilson

ASPIRE [previously Kwinana Families Community Partnership Project (KFCP)]

The Aspire Kwinana Families initiative assists and supports families in the Kwinana area who are facing long-term patterns of multigenerational unemployment. KFCP aims to break cyclical unemployment by providing services such as individual and family counselling, career counselling, mentoring and empowerment, reintegration of families to the local community through club and sporting activities, as well as providing access to training, short courses, work experience and local employment opportunities.

Program Manager: Linda Colley | Program Coordinator: Nick Gwynn


Crossing Point Leader’s Academy (CPLA)

Bridging The Gap’s Crossing Point Leaders Academy (CPLA) inspires young people aged 16-24 from our communities to make positive changes to their lives and those around them by challenging them to be all that they can be. We aim to take each young person on a transformational journey over the course of 6-9 months that will see the development of core leadership skills which will give each participant the confidence to take control of their lives. Many of them experience socio-economic disadvantage which for some results in homelessness, unemployment and helplessness.

The risks and challenges facing young people are all too evident – drugs, alcohol, gangs, bullying, crime, early pregnancy etc, all of which can lead to increased numbers of young people drifting into lives of underachievement, disillusionment, disempowerment and antisocial behaviour. These can all have a detrimental effect not only on the individuals concerned but also on the families and communities where they live and work.

Since 2007 BTG has engaged and challenged these young people to step out of their comfort zone and develop the skills and confidence to positively contribute to an inclusive society. The uniqueness of the Crossing Point Leaders Academy program comes from the combination of the different activities that creates this journey for each young person. The journey includes case management, a residential that focuses on facilitated development, development days where the group have access to life coaching and career development expertise the expedition and continued support post program to ensure positive pathways are achieved. As their teamwork and leadership skills develop they are challenged to volunteer on local community projects.

Program Manager: Andy Wahid | Program Coordinator: Lucy Maradick

EYEs (Early Youth Engagement)

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations through the Local Employment Coordinator Flexible Funding Pool, the EYEs Early Youth Engagement program aims to connect youth aged 17-19 years from the Rockingham, Kwinana and Cockburn areas with a pathway into on-the-job training and career employment opportunities. Participants undertake leadership development workshops whilst completing a mini-residential expedition, with opportunities to meet local employers, try a trade and be guided by a one-on-one mentor towards further training and/or full-time employment opportunities within their community.

Program Manager: Linda Colley | Program Coordinator: Nicola Squires


FUELLS

Developed by youth workers with a myriad of experience and understanding of the often complex barriers facing our youth that prevent them from attending school, the FUELLS or Future Understanding of Lifelong Learning Skills aims to provide young people with the skills, knowledge and practical experience that will enable them to reengage with educational activities.

Program Manager: Linda Colley | Program Coordinator: Caroline Marshall

Indigenous Employment Program (IEP)

IEP aims to take 24 persons, aged 17-30yrs from Indigenous communities across the Perth metro area, on a transformational journey over the course of 12 months, with a focus on the development of core leadership skills to empower each participant to regain control of their lives. Program participants are often burdened by socio-economic disadvantage which can inturn result in unemployment and helplessness. BTG has a long history as a community organisation of engaging and challenging individuals to step out of their comfort zone and develop the skills necessary to positively contribute to their future and community.

Program Manager: Linda Colley | Program Coordinator: Anna Edwards

Job Services Australia (JSA)

As a member of the JOBfutures National Employment Network, Bridging the Gap is contracted to deliver the Job Services Australia contract, funded through the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Both job seekers and employers alike can benefit from JSA’s highly focused service which is aims to provide a single communication point for all clients to a variety of job-related services from offices in Kwinana, Mandurah, Spearwood, Wembley and Rockingham. JSA provides flexible support to out-of-work persons to connect them with training and skill development opportunities relevant to their individual circumstances. With a 4-star rating, JSA has a proven track record of providing successful pathways for job seekers to the correct training for their chosen field to allow them to enter or return to the workforce.

Program Manager: Jane McWhirter


New Leaf

Ngulla Community Nursery’s New Leaf program pairs real industry experience with networking opportunities to offer underemployed persons aged 20-65 with a free 4-month full-time study and industry accredited field training course with potential for permanent employment and/or further training. Participants will complete a Certificate II in Conservation & Land Management, covering units such as natural area restoration and tree planting, plant & animal biology, first aid and OHS training as well as plant propagation and nursery work.

Program Manager: Peter Bird | Team Leader: John Murphy

Ngulla Community Nursery

Driven by a social purpose and dedicated to providing a unique, community-based working and training environment for disadvantaged people within the Kwinana community, Ngulla was established in August 2006 as an innovative horticultural-based social enterprise project that supplies native plants to industry and generates employment and work place training opportunities for local youth, job seekers and the community. Ngulla is a business driven by a social purpose and dedicated to providing unique community based work and learning environment where participants have every opportunity to realise their potential and become valid members of the community.

Auspiced through BTG’s Registered Training Organisation (RTO), accredited and non accredited training is undertaken at Ngulla; Building & Construction, (non-accredited) as well as Horticulture and Conservation & Land Management Certificates 1 & 2(accredited). Each of the accredited courses are focused on experiential learning with written material encompassing just 25% of core learning. This approach was adopted to eliminate issues of numeracy and literacy shortfalls within the student body, which in themselves are addressed by BTG in a separate program – Language, Literacy & Numeracy (LLN). At present Ngulla delivers training to 80 students ranging in ages from 17 to 24, in both Horticulture and Conservation & Land Management; the Building & Construction component is run as part of a “Work for the Dole” (WFD) work experience program.

Over the past 6 years, Ngulla has constructed its entire infrastructure internally with only the assistance of students, staff and WFD participants. To date only two funding grants gave been awarded to Ngulla, including an initial $160,000 Federal grant in 2006 to fund the appointment of a Project Manager to lead the development, and a Lotteries Commission grant of $40,000in 2010 put towards the purchase of new machinery (a haul-tractor and trailers) and an upgrade to the existing shed to house new training rooms and a dedicated “arts” centre space for the disabilities arts program run by Nulsen Haven.

Nursery Manager: Peter Bird


Teen Parent’s Program

The Kwinana Teen Parents Life Coaching Project (KTPLCP) aims to improve secondary education and vocational training outcomes for Teen Parents in the Kwinana area. Our aim is to address personal barriers of the individuals, whilst tending to their educational development. Safe and accessible environments are provided where the needs of their children are met and where teen parents continue to enjoy direct access to their children throughout their participation in the program.

By the creation of Individual Pathway Plans (IPP’s) for each young person clients are transitioned to education/training or employment pathways whilst addressing health and wellbeing goals, with appropriate referrals to other services for specialist support if required.

KTPLCP engages young parents in positive peer support and learning activities which enhance their longer term social and economic wellbeing and deter their involvement in anti-social behaviour including substance abuse and criminal behaviour. Young parents will receive positive parenting information and role modelling via Youth Connections and partnering agencies.


Training & Career Development

Delivered to the wider community across all regions and Local Government Areas, BTG’s Training & Career Development programs support career choices and provide training suited to the needs of the individual. A comprehensive list of Accredited and Non-Accredited training courses is outlined on BTG’s website.

For more information contact Haroon Khan on 9550 1111


YEiS (Youth Engagement in Skills)

The YEiS Program is for work-ready job seekers with a positive, motivated attitude towards gaining full time employment, a traineeship, apprenticeship, work experience or work trial. Selection into the project is by interview and successful participants are rewarded with a 1-week all expenses paid leadership mini-expedition with Crossing Point Leaders Academy from 25 June 2012 – 1st July 2012 followed by career development counselling and aspirational/motivational training for all program participants YEiS endeavours to match participants with suitable, local employers, arranging interviews and providing assistance to clients with personal presentation, resume creation and interview techniques to enhance their employability.


Youth Connections

Youth Connections offers one-on-one case management services to young people in the Rockingham, Kwinana, Mandurah and Cockburn areas to help them overcome barriers which prevent them from engaging with education. Case workers might assist a young person to reconnect with family, find a mentor or obtain assistance from other community organisations to address more serious issues such as literacy and numeracy problems, mental health, drug and alcohol addictions and abuse.

Program Manager: Linda Colley


Good News Stories & Case Studies

*Names have been changed.

“Adam”

Adam was registered with JSA from December of 2010. He joined our Indigenous Employment Program

in February of 2011. At that time Adam was enrolled in the Challenger TAFE Leadership Certificate II

being overseen by our IEP program. We tailor made some aspirational development which included a

residential camp and started on the journey to unpack some of Adam’s personal barriers to

achievement. He had been suffering from agonising mental health issues and had never been

diagnosed or medicated. He was abusing marijuana and was disconnected from his cultural heritage

and not comfortable with his Aboriginal roots. After spending time in the Cultural Awareness Program

with IEP, Adam started to recognise and appreciate his Noongar roots and embraced the idea of being

Aboriginal. His mood swings were still very apparent and he strongly fought against counselling and

medication.

Adam originally came to us as a very anxious and suicidal 18-year-old boy. He constantly threatened to

commit suicide and got in the habit of calling us at all hours during the night. His mentoring and

counselling took on an almost parental flavour.

A great deal of violence was present in Adam’s family home and his father was also on antidepressants.

Adam was smoking marijuana on a regular basis and this contributed to his erratic mood swings. With

all this in mind, Adam dreamt big. He had hopes of securing a FIFO position so he could eventually

move out of his parent’s house, clear his debt and build a better life for himself.

After a few months Adam started to settle and we convinced him of the importance of regular

medication and support and mentoring from BTG IEP and student support people.

Fast forward 18 months. With the support of the team at BTG Adam attended multiple counselling and

doctors appointments aimed at addressing his depression and anger issues, he enrolled in and

completed a dogging and rigging course which was funded by BTG and participated in BTG’s New

Directions program to assist with his confidence, self esteem and personal presentation. Adam also

made an application for a traineeship at Alcoa – at this time he grew in confidence and started to

blossom.

After an initial let down when he was unsuccessful in this application Adam started to decline again and

refused to go back onto his medication. At this time he was drawn into the JSA area for additional

support. He started in the Job Club and was fully supported and mentored there. At our wits end we

now had five staff all working intensely with him, taking turns managing his erratic behaviours and

tantrums. He started using drugs again and we knew he wouldn’t pass a drug and alcohol screen if he

was selected for interview by any of the mining companies. By late in 2011 the team at BTG

encouraged Adam back into mental health support and he started to attend counselling regularly.


During this time, with the support of Anna Edwards, Karen Ryan and Caroline Marshall, Adam scored an

interview with Sodexo who are currently contracted by Rio Tinto in the Pilbara. Adam passed the

interview stage but unfortunately failed his medical due to issues with his manual dexterity. Adam was

then invited to attend a six week preparation course with Sodexo which ran five days a week for six

weeks. Eventually, Adam successfully completed his preparation course and it was then that his case

management transitioned into the JSA Work Experience phase. Whilst still enjoying support from the

initial IEP team and the JSA employment advisory team, he now had even more attention from the

Work Experience sector.

At 3am on August 15 Bridging the Gap’s Work Experience Employment Advisor, Shane Parnell, drove an

extremely nervous Adam the 50 minute trip to Perth Domestic Airport. He had never been on a plane

before.

Adam gave us numerous reasons to stop attending to him; our care was personal, suited to his specific

needs and relentless. This attention to detail is what has resulted in a great outcome for him.

Adam is now working 12 hour days on a Rio Tinto site as a kitchen hand. He loves it.

“Sam”

Sam first presented to Bridging the Gap in May 2010 and had been unemployed since 2007. Following

two knee construction surgeries, 64 year old Sam was advised by his doctors to change careers. Having

chosen Bridging the Gap as his preferred Job Services Australia provider, Sam was first referred to a

Career Development Counsellor to complete a career guidance program - the outcome of which

suggested Sam was best suited to an OH&S oriented position that would suit his decreased mobility,

but remained within the industries in which he had extensive experience (construction, warehousing

and truck driving). In order for Sam to pursue this new career path, it was necessary to improve his

computer skills. BTG promptly enrolled Sam in a “First Click” course, at which he time he also

completed Microsoft Word Training with the Cockburn Vocational Centre. Upon completion of basic

computer training, Sam was ready for enrolment in a Certificate IV in OH&S and commenced online,

self-paced training with the National Training Company. Whilst completing this online training, it was

still necessary for Sam to seek and sustain employment to meet various financial commitments. An

opportunity presented itself through National Green Jobs Corps as a Team Leader for Bridging the Gap

and Sam was approached about the position. He responded positively and was confident he would be

able to perform well in this position, with particular interest in working with youth. Sam commenced

this Team Leader position in August 2011 and is still working in the role, doing extremely well.

“Ashe”

Diagnosed with untreated ADHD, 24 year old Ashe was first referred to Bridging the Gap by his social

worker at Centrelink, who believed him to be suffering from severe mental health issues in addition the

ADHD, such as schizophrenia, but was unsuccessful in convincing Ashe to pursue a formal diagnosis and


treatment plan. Consequently, in 2011, Ashe admitted to a failed suicide attempt and confirmed for his

caseworker that his depressive thoughts and mood swings were becoming unbearable. It was also

evident that Ashe was recreationally using non-prescribed prescription drugs and regularly consuming

alcohol.

From his first meeting with a BTG Employment Advisor (EA), Ashe was identified as having a number of

severe barriers to employment which included medical, motivational, family breakdown, skill shortage

and lack of work experience and no transportation, to name a few. Despite ongoing appointments with

his EA, Ashe would not commit to attending BTG training courses and career development activities.

Ashe’s areas of interest included acting, customer service and sales and his EA chose to progress him on

a path towards the later professions. In 2010 Ashe successfully secured employment with two

organisations – a café and a video store – but over an 8 week period, it became evident that Ashe could

not sustain full-time working hours due to his person issues and was eventually let go by both

companies. Despite this outcome, Ashe had gained a good insight into the world of work and his BTG

case workers continued to concentrate their efforts towards referring Ashe to a medical professional,

seeking a confirmed diagnosis for his mental health issues. A long a difficult road saw Ashe’s eventual

confession to losing his parents shortly after birth, making him a ward of the state from a 18 months

old. Overtime, Ashe’s caseworkers were able to gain his trust and successfully bring him to a medical

practitioner who proffered a formal diagnosis of is mental instability and implemented a treatment and

counselling program to stabilise his condition.

“Ashlee”

Upon presenting to Bridging the Gap, Ashlee was identified as a job-seeker with limited education and

work experience, having only completed year 10 of schooling. Suffering from shyness, very low self

esteem, poor presentation and a lack of transport, Ashlee lacked the skills and motivation required to

attend appointments at Bridging the Gap or to engage in job search activities. Ashlee was unsure of the

type of work she wanted to do and during her time with BTG was supported through three Certificate II

courses and career development sessions. Ashlee received one-on-one job interview coaching and her

placement officer reverse-marketed her to suitable employers, attending interviews alongside her to

counter her shy personality. With support from her BTG caseworker, Ashlee managed to over come

many of her barriers to employment and was successfully appointed in September 2011 to a cleaning

position, before becoming a factory hand in 2011, where it is believed she remains employed today.


Strategic Plan 2012 - 2017 [Extract only]

1. Our Vision

Empowering People, Building Communities

2. Our Mission

To bridge the gap and build communities by empowering people and building self sufficiency in

disadvantaged and disenfranchised individuals through social inclusion, practical training and enhanced

employment opportunities.

3. Our Planning Process

Our mission guides our objectives. Our objectives are achieved by addressing critical success factors. Our

critical success factors are measured by key performance indicators. Our key performance indicators

measure our success in relation to our internal and external stakeholders and processes.

4. Our Objectives

New and innovative business development

Excellence in program delivery

Social and Community Development

Long term sustainability

Good financial and corporate governance


Partners & Sponsors

Peet Ltd City of Rockingham Lotterywest Raleigh International

City of Mandurah Chamber of Commerce &

Industry WA Career Solutions Life Business

Fairbridge Challenger Institute

of Technology Midland Job Link Bendigo Bank

BHP Billiton The Village at Wellard MACC Outdoors WA

Palmerston Murdoch University

Bridging the Gap | Rockingham (Head Office)

10 Leghorn Street Rockingham, WA 6168

PO Box 675, Rockingham WA 6968

Phone: +61 8 9550 1111

Fax: +61 8 9592 8217


Bridging the Gap | Wembley

Level 1, 46 Salvado Road, Wembley

PO Box 7157, Shenton Park WA 6008

Phone: +61 8 9380 4705

Fax: +61 8 9380 4716

Bridging the Gap | Spearwood

Unit 4, 235 Rockingham Road, Spearwood

PO Box 7044, Spearwood WA 6163

Phone: +61 8 9434 6575

Fax: +61 8 9434 6794

Bridging the Gap | Kwinana

24b, 43 Meares Avenue, Kwinana

PO Box 221, Kwinana WA 6966

Phone: +61 8 9419 2553

Fax: +61 8 9439 2552

Bridging the Gap | Mandurah

56 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah

PO Box 1756, Mandurah WA 6210

Phone: +61 8 9586 3888

Fax: +61 8 9586 3999

Ngulla Community Nursery

68 Born Road, Casurina

Phone: +61 8 9439 3806

ngullacommunitynursery.com

The Zone

Cnr Gilmore Ave and Darius Drive, Kwinana

(opposite Calista Oval/Kwinana Skate Park)

Phone: +61 8 9236 4550

Kwinana House

65 Bickner Way, Parmelia

Phone: +61 8 9550 1111


btg annual report 2011-2012

Documents

peter bird manager

annual report

financial report

colin kerr secretary

practical training

empowering disadvantaged

chair ceo

vision empowering people