Programmed, one of Australia’s leading workplace solutions companies, has formed a two-year partnership with not for profit-for-profit organisation Whitelion, creating a Trade Apprentice Program for young people at risk.

Through this partnership, Programmed will be able to provide life-changing opportunities for some of Australia’s ‘at-risk’ youth, which is currently estimated to be at over 70,000. The program is expected to generate up to 10 apprenticeships per year.

The corporate partnership model is a proven formula for success. Whitelion’s other partnerships including Toll Holdings and the ATO have helped more than 400 young people to date. Whitelion sees its partnership with Programmed as another promising sign that big business understands the vital importance of these programs.

“The partnership will provide a real, tangible business benefit to support our growing employee base of more than 10,000, through a greater diversified workforce,” says Whitelion chief executive Mark Watt.

“Working in conjunction with Programmed will allow Whitelion to engage more of these young people in employment, which will be an invaluable step towards changing their futures for the better.”

Whitelion’s specialised Indigenous Employment Program will also be a focus for both organisations through providing culturally-sensitive mentoring and support for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Through its 10-year Indigenous Engagement Strategy and commitment to the Australian Employment Covenant, Programmed has vowed to put an end to disparities in the number of Indigenous Australians in the workforce.

Programmed’s Property and Infrastructure Division chief executive Steve Taylor says, “The mutually beneficial scheme will help Whitelion provide young people at risk with an entry into the workforce, while providing Programmed another source to recruit talented apprentices and develop skills to enhance its team.”

Whitelion is always looking for more partnerships to increase the organisation’s positive impact on the lives of vulnerable young people. Through working together and pooling resources, organisations can achieve real and sustainable employment opportunities for ‘at-risk’ and Indigenous Australians.

Whitelion provides youth-focused, gender and culturally specific services in the areas of employment, role modeling, specialist outreach support and education-based prevention programs and has been supporting youth at risk for more than 12 years.