The Palaszczuk Government is launching a campaign to entice struggling school leavers into the workforce.

The social media campaign recently hit newsfeeds, connecting teenagers to the Link and Launch program.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard said after a successful trial at Redbank Plains State High last year, Bremer State High School was now getting on board. 

“As the world grapples with the economic impact of COVID-19, there has never been a more important time to invest in programs that help people looking to enter the workforce or explore further training options,” Ms Howard said.

“Link and Launch was designed for schools in high youth unemployment areas and has become one of the key youth engagement projects in Queensland’s education system.

“I’m thrilled to see Bremer on board, with a Link and Launch officer now based at the school to help struggling graduates navigate a range of post-school study, training and work options.”

Ms Howard said keeping young people engaged and giving them more opportunities after leaving school was important for their futures.

“Queensland’s plan for economic recovery begins with job creation,” she said.

“It’s great to see that school leavers who have faced difficulty making that transition from high school to the next phase of life are being helped by this creative and individualised approach.

“The program has already achieved promising results during its pilot phase last year.

“An independent evaluation of the program showed of the 149 young people enrolled across the four sites, 62% had made a successful transition to further study, training or work.

“Since then the numbers have grown and by late May the program has supported a total of 269 young people with 158 moving on to further study or work.”

Ms Howard said building and keeping those connections between the school, students and community was key to the program.

“The program participants benefit immensely from the close relationship that each school has with its recently graduated students,” she said.

“It also means each school site can engage with their communities to tailor the approach and develop the necessary pathways to meet the students’ needs.”

The ten schools that have joined the Link and Launch Program this month include:

• Glenala State High School
• Bremer State High School
• Marsden State High School
• Beaudesert State High School
• Yeppoon State High School
• Trinity Bay State High School
• Northern Beaches State High School
• Townsville State High School
• Lockyer District State High School
• Clontarf Beach State High School