Annual Report 2025
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Piper Rodd
Chair
Maree Roberts
Deputy Chair
David Turnbull
Board Member
Catherine Armstrong
Board Member
Reana Cazar
Board Member
Kelly Sciberras
Board Member
Chair's Report
Piper Rodd – Chair Future Connect
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Chair’s Report
It is, as usual, with great pleasure and pride that I write my annual report as the Chair of Board allowing me to document Future Connect’s achievements of the past year. The theme of this report, perhaps, is about change, growth and renewal. One of the things I am most proud of, in fact, is the manner with which Future Connect has sought to develop a resilience and sustainability during times of precariousness for so many in the community sector.
Future Connect has been committed to a concerted program of diversifying not only the scope and expanding its reach and impact in Brimbank and Melton but in ensuring the sustainability of its funding. As such, the Board and staff undertook a strategic planning project aimed at identifying our strengths, honing our messaging and clarifying our unique value proposition to position us competitively to maximise funding opportunities. We have done this hard work of critical reflection on our skills, knowledge and capabilities with a clear vision of maintaining our relevance in the communities with which we work. Doing this self-reflection is imperative to ensure an ongoing currency of purpose and delivery in a market increasingly needing to demonstrate agility and efficiencies in provision of services.
I want to pay tribute to Deidre Hardy, CEO of Future Connect for eight years, who chose to step down this past year. During her time with our organisation, Deidre’s commitment, passion and diligence was unwavering and admirable. Not only did Deidre work to support young people in Brimbank and Melton but she ensured her team of dedicated staff also thrived.
Deirdre’s departure has coincided with a period of significant change for our organisation. Following reviews into the school-to-work program, the Victorian Department of Education has decided to reconfigure the funding and delivery model from 2027. We have been fortunate to have had Jacqui Bramwell step into the role as Acting CEO while we conducted the search for a permanent replacement. And I am pleased to introduce Ruth Giles who will become Future Connect’s CEO from July. Ruth brings with her a wealth of experience in management and strategy roles in government and the community sector. Ruth’s significance skill set positions the organisation to be well-positioned to navigate change and growth.
Finally, I want to end by mentioning the team of workers who keep Future Connect operating so successfully. Tea, Najib, Megan, Ava, Lea, Monica and Ronan demonstrate daily their dedication to the ensuring the young people in community have the best possible opportunities to gain diverse and high-quality experiences of the working world.
Dr. Piper Rodd
Chief Executive Officer's Report
Jacqui Bramwell – Acting Interim CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FUTURE CONNECT
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CEO Report
My name is Jacqui Bramwell and since January 2026 it has been my pleasure and privilege to act as the Interim CEO at Future Connect following the departure of Deirdre Hardy at the end of 2025. Deirdre had been at the helm of Future Connect since 2018 and made many changes and improvements including, but not limited to, instituting the Employee Assistance Program (for all 31 LLENs), successfully working to get DGR status for Future Connect, uptake of the Portable Long Service scheme, developing the concept of West As and the YouthGrounds café, working to deliver desired outcomes in the Department of Education School To Work contract, and importantly helping and guiding Future Connect and its staff to get through the difficult COVID period.
I am not new to LLENs. As a former Executive Officer of Gippsland East LLEN and most recently working with WynBay LLEN as School to Work Program Manager and hosted by WynBay LLEN as the VicLLEN Statewide Industry Partnerships Manager, I have been able to support the Future Connect team whilst the board recruited and appointed incoming CEO, Ruth Giles, who will commence in July.
2025 proved to be another busy and impactful year at Future Connect! We’re grateful to the many employers and businesses who supported young people by hosting placements, workplace tours and being guest speakers. You exemplify community and the collaborative spirit that is so prevalent in the west.
VicLLENs
Deirdre continued to sit on the executive of the VicLLENs Network and our Chair, Piper Rodd, chaired the LLEN Chairs Network during 2025.
School to Work contract
2025 was the final year of our three-year School To Work contract with Department of Education, which enabled us to build on the growth of the previous two years. Industry tours showcased ongoing, secure employment opportunities in the west. Highlights include the Amazon, Scalzo, Melbourne Airport, Big Battery Project, ADCO and the Women In Aviation tours. Numerous Guest Speaker opportunities were also arranged for schools, as well as interactive VR sessions showcasing a diverse range of careers. Schools were very responsive to the many events we organised and Najib Warsame worked hard to lock in dates and numbers early on. This enabled us to have a full calendar of events available for schools to choose from early in the year. Staff from several schools commented on it being a pleasure to work with Najib.
Workbased learning through Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) and Work Experience in 2025 remained strong, with an increased number of students engaging with Future Connect for support in securing placements. This growth reflects rising awareness and trust in our ability to connect with students with meaningful workplace opportunities to gain practical experience and explore future career pathways.
A key highlight was the partnership with Hand Brake Turn, who hosted more than 18 students across the year. The success of this collaboration has led to its continuation, with an expanded program now supporting even more students in 2026.
Future Connect once again delivered the annual VET Taster Day in 2025, organising bus transport and providing students with an opportunity to explore vocational education pathways before making important subject selections. Megan Cooke organised this event with more than 150 students from partner schools attending which was hosted across two locations, AGA Trade School in Deer Park sand Catholic Regional College (CRC) Sydenham. Experiencing these spaces first-hand helped students build a stronger understanding of what a future career in the trades could look like.
In 2025 staff were ably assisted in their work by Ronan Ennis, Work Placement Support Officer. Ronan has provided administrative and IT support to both the School to Work team and to the broader Future Connect team.
VET Cluster Support
Monica Winchcombe held the role of VET Cluster Project Officer in 2025 and worked on a number of priorities set by the Brimbank and Western Edge Clusters. Priority focus areas included:
how we can grow and strengthen VET offerings.
making sure VET programs are accessible for students with additional needs.
a review was also conducted of the current VET course offerings.
The research and information obtained by Monica gave both clusters a really strong foundation for the development of their 2026 strategic plans.
We also have co-ordinated buses for the Western Edge Cluster (WEC) and Brimbank VET Cluster (BVC) students for their weekly VET classes. The Department of Education funds this Transport Fund, coordinated by LLENs, to help provide transport solutions that improve student access to VDSS programs across Victoria. In 2025, 2,357 student trips were made in our clusters using this service. For the WEC, the buses run from Melton Secondary College to AGA. For the BVC, students are picked up from Watergardens Shopping Centre & St Albans Train station, and again taken to AGA in Deer Park. This allows students to attend a VET class they may not otherwise have been able to access. Thanks Lea and Monica for your hard work to make the bus transport as streamlined as possible.
Career Practitioners’ Network
We wish to acknowledge and thank Cathy Armstrong for chairing and Megan Cooke for continued coordination of the Career Practitioners Network. The once per term meetings are well attended, with Careers staff valuing updates from tertiary providers, employers, and other services, as well as the chance to network with their peers and share practice.
SBAT Breakfast
The SBAT Advisory group support the running and format of the annual SBAT Breakfast to introduce schools and SBAT providers as well as updating on any news about SBATs. It is always particularly enjoyable hearing from students at this event, and I thank them for the courage and commitment it takes to speak in public. In 2025 Minh Dang spoke about his experience doing an SBAT and was ably supported by Melissa Bell, Director from Head Start. Minh shared his journey, covering why he joined Head Start and concluding with a reflection on his full-circle experience having now completed his SBAT. Chloe Stephen also spoke about her SBAT journey. Chloe was a recent graduate who completed her SBAT in 2024 and seamlessly transitioned into the workforce. Chloe continues her employment at Melton Waves post-school showing SBATs create real pathways from education into ongoing, meaningful work.
Brimbank Careers Exploration Day
Our other longstanding annual event is the Careers Exploration Day. Lea Lucas always does an amazing job co-ordinating the exhibitors, sponsors and schools (including buses!). On the day itself she sorts out the many issues that crop up during any event. Around 1,500 Brimbank secondary school students participated in the day with around 48 exhibitors in attendance.
Pathways in Place Action Network (PiPAN)
In 2025, we concluded our engagement with the Pathways in Place Action Network (PiPAN), which has been instrumental in supporting innovation, collaboration and learning across our work. Through this partnership, we advanced key initiatives in the West As suite, including the digitisation of Future Recruit and the continued development of the Forget Me Not micro-learning modules, strengthening how we support young people to build workplace skills. PiPAN also contributed to the growth of our evaluation and learning practices, including the development of our SEER dashboard, which supports how we understand, adapt and communicate the impact of our programs.
YouthGrounds entered a period of planning and transition in 2025 as we prepared for its next phase. While a permanent café site was not secured during the year, significant groundwork was undertaken to explore suitable locations and funding opportunities to support a sustainable relaunch. The Board has committed funding to support the future of YouthGrounds, reflecting its continued value as a pathway for young people to build skills, confidence and employment opportunities.
Thank you to Ava Ter and Tea O’Driscoll for your endeavours working with PiPAN, Future Recruit, Forget-Me-Not Programs and YouthGrounds including the development work with the SEER project.
I would like to thank the board for their vision, passion and commitment. Dr Piper Rodd remains a committed chair who provides support to not just Future Connect but the entire LLEN Network through her passion, skill and advocacy. The entire board is cohesive and collaborates to govern the organisation. Thanks to you all for your volunteer time to Future Connect. Without a board there can be no Future Connect Inc. Your contribution is vital.
Jacqui Bramwell
Interim CEO, Future Connect
Brimbank Careers Exploration Day
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Brimbank Careers Exploration Day 2025
On 7 May 2025 Future Connect once again hosted the Annual Brimbank Careers Exploration Day at Lakeside Banquet & Convention Centre located in Taylors Lakes. Just over 1,500 Brimbank secondary school students attended from government and non-government schools and were offered free bussing to attend this careers-based event.
Schools attending in 2025 were:
- Copperfield College (Kings Park Campus)
- Copperfield College (Sydenham Campus)
- Gilson College
- Hester Hornbrook Academy
- Keilow Downs College
- Marian College
- Overnewton Anglican Community College
- Sirius College
- St Albans Secondary College
- Sunshine College (North Campus)
- Sunshine College (West Campus)
- Victoria University Secondary College
The continuing theme of “Interactivity” proved very popular and it was really pleasing to see the exhibitors bringing along with them games, props, robotic and electrical displays and trades equipment to entice students to their stands. Students were also given the opportunity to talk to a paramedic, take a tour of an ambulance and check out fire equipment gear from Fire Services Victoria. The vast majority of students indicated that they enjoyed the various hands-on activities that exhibitors brought to the event.
Feedback from students attending the event indicated that 90% were able to get all or most of the information they needed.
We would like to thank our 2025 Event Partners for their valuable financial support.
Our Aspire Partners: ADF Careers, Brimbank City Council, Swinburne University of Technology and Victoria University
Our Believe Partner: AGA IntoWork and Victorian Electoral Commission
YouthGrounds
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YouthGrounds
2025 has been a year of planning and preparation for the next phase of YouthGrounds. While a permanent café site has not yet been secured, important groundwork has been undertaken to position YouthGrounds for a strong relaunch.
In 2025, Future Connect explored several potential café locations and conducted site inspections. Through this process, we refined key criteria for a future site, prioritising accessibility for young people, strong community presence, and opportunities for real-world hospitality experience. While some locations were not suitable, this work has strengthened our understanding of what will support the long-term success of the social enterprise. We also pursued several grant opportunities to support the next stage of YouthGrounds. Although these applications were unsuccessful, the process helped further articulate the program’s vision and impact.
VET Transition
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VET Cluster Project Officer Report
Over the past year, there has been a VET Cluster Project Officer working on a number of priorities set by the Brimbank and Western Edge VET Clusters.
One big focus has been on how we can grow and strengthen our VET offerings. This has included reviewing our current VDSS programs, looking into new course options, and exploring how schools might be able to deliver more VET programs in-house. We’ve also been identifying new training providers and building stronger connections with industry and the local community.
Another key priority has been making sure VET programs are accessible for students with additional needs. This has involved exploring different ways of delivering programs, developing more customised options, and partnering with providers who have expertise in supporting these students.
Overall, this work is about making sure the clusters continue to offer vocational pathways that are relevant, sustainable, and inclusive.
In 2025, more than 2,700 students were enrolled in VET courses across 38 courses, 38 schools, and 21 Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).
A big first step was doing a thorough review of the current VDSS offerings across the clusters. This gave us a clearer picture of what’s currently available, including which courses are being delivered by schools and external RTOs, student enrolment numbers across different schools and year levels, which courses are most in demand, and where demand isn’t being fully met.
This information gives us a really strong foundation for planning ahead. It helps us see what’s working well, where interest is growing, and where we might need to expand our offerings.
We’ve also spent a lot of time exploring Year 10 pathway and taster programs. These give students the chance to try out vocational learning earlier, so they can make more informed decisions about their senior secondary pathways.
All of this work has been done in close collaboration with schools, training providers, and other VET Clusters.
Careers Practitioners' Network (CPN)
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Careers Practitioners Network (CPN)
In 2025, the Careers Practitioners Network (CPN) continued to provide a valuable forum for collaboration among careers practitioners across the region. Four meetings were held across the year, bringing together the same strong network of practitioners who work closely with students to support their career planning and post school pathways.
The CPN meetings create an opportunity for careers practitioners to connect, share insights, and stay informed about developments across education, training and industry. Throughout the year, attendees heard from a range of guest speakers who provided updates on emerging opportunities and programs available to students.
This year’s speakers included representatives from several universities, alternative education providers, the State Electricity Commission (SEC), Brimbank City Council, and Project Ready. These presentations provided practitioners with valuable insights into new programs, pathway options and industry developments that can support students as they consider their future study and career choices.
A highlight of the year was the Term 1 CPN meeting, hosted at St Albans Secondary College, which featured a working lunch prepared by the school’s Year 12 Cookery students. The students catered a delicious lunch for attendees, showcasing their skills and providing a practical demonstration of the high-quality vocational learning taking place at the school.
During the lunch, practitioners worked collaboratively to draft a letter of complaint to VTAC regarding recent changes to the SEAS application process and the increase in associated fees. The session created an opportunity for the network to collectively raise concerns about the potential impact these changes may have on students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The discussion highlighted the strength of the CPN as a group that not only shares information but also advocates for fair and accessible pathways for young people.
Across all four meetings, the network continued to provide a supportive space where practitioners could exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen partnerships across schools, training providers and industry. The ongoing engagement of the group demonstrates the shared commitment to improving career education outcomes for students across the region.
Future Connect looks forward to continuing to build and strengthen the Careers Practitioners Network in 2026, ensuring practitioners remain connected, informed and supported in the important work they do with young people.
Industry School Tours
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Industry School Tours
Springside West College Students Take Off with Melbourne Airport Careers Tour
On March 27th of March, twenty-five students from Springside West College embarked on an exciting behind-the-scenes Career Tour of Melbourne Airport. The immersive experience offered a rare glimpse into the dynamic world of aviation and airport operations, sparking inspiration among future career seekers.
The tour started with an interactive walkthrough of the airport's security screening process, where students learned about aviation security personnel's critical role in ensuring passenger safety. From there, the group explored Terminal 4, gaining insight into how airlines, ground staff, and operations teams collaborate to deliver a seamless travel experience.
Students learned about how controllers at the air traffic towers coordinate aircraft movements to maintain safe and efficient airspace, offering an eye-opening perspective on one of aviation's most vital roles.
To wrap up the experience, students enjoyed a plane-spotting session, during which they observed takeoffs and landings while learning about various aircraft types and their operations. This Careers Tour was an eye-opening opportunity for students interested in aviation, security, logistics, and air traffic management.
Testimonial from Springside West College student
“I am a year 11 student from Springside West Secondary College, and during my visit to Melbourne Airport, I found out that if you speak another language, and I do speak three different languages, there are many job opportunities available. I saw some interesting jobs that pay well for young people, and this is very interesting for a teenager like me. Providing safe travel for people was a role that interested me, and I realised I could assist people who speak Punjabi and Hindi, and I could help them understand airport travel rules. I did not know there were so many rolls (sic) at the airport I could work in and feel needed.”
The Big Battery Project Industry Tour
On March 31st, Students from Jackson School had an exciting opportunity to visit and be only the second school to visit the Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub in Plumpton, a groundbreaking project set to play a key role in Victoria's transition to renewable energy. This tour provided an up-close look at one of the country's most advanced energy storage facilities, showcasing how cutting-edge technology is shaping the future of sustainable power.
During the visit, students met with engineers and project leads working on the facility. They learned about the project's key features, including the state-of-the-art inverter technology designed to stabilize the electricity grid as coal and gas-fired power stations are phased out.
A highlight of the tour was seeing the Tesla battery units and the massive transformers that convert stored energy for use in the power grid. The site will ultimately house 444 battery units, strengthening Victoria's electricity network by storing surplus energy from rooftop solar and renewable sources. Students could observe how these advanced systems work together to ensure a reliable and affordable energy supply for the state.
Through this experience, Jackson School students gained valuable insights into careers in renewable energy, sustainability, and engineering. As Victoria continues to lead the way in renewable energy, inspiring the next generation to explore these fields is more important than ever.
Exploring the World of Hospitality: Industry Tours at William Angliss Institute
In March, Jackson School and Kurunjang Secondary College students were given a unique opportunity to step into the vibrant world of hospitality, tourism, and events through an exclusive industry tour at William Angliss Institute, one of Australia's leading vocational education providers.
On March 11th, 15 students from Kurunjang Secondary College visited the campus, followed by a larger group of 40 students from Jackson School on March 18th. Both groups were immersed in the dynamic learning environment that William Angliss is renowned for.
During the tour, students explored a range of career pathways available in the hospitality sector. They gained insights into the various hands-on training programs, from cookery and patisserie to travel, tourism, and event management. They also had the chance to experience industry-standard training facilities and hear about the exciting opportunities directly from educators.
These engaging tours helped students better understand the skills and qualifications needed to pursue a career in hospitality and inspired many to consider future study and career options in the sector.
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Future Recruit
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Future Recruit
In 2025, Future Recruit progressed from concept development to a fully digitalised tool. Future Recruit is designed to provide structured recruitment feedback to young people. It helps employers give clear, practical job application feedback to applicants, while also strengthening their own recruitment documentation.
The digital tool was introduced to several Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to explore how it could be integrated into recruitment processes. SheForce is currently trialling the platform, with testing continuing into 2026. Feedback from this trial has already helped refine the tool, including expanding response options so employers can provide more detailed and helpful comments to applicants.
Co-design and youth leadership
Future Recruit also continues to embed a co-design approach, with plans to develop a youth-led co-design work experience placement in 2026 focused on creating the project’s logo and visual identity.
Looking ahead to 2026, Future Connect will continue seeking additional partners to test the tool in different recruitment settings and gather feedback from employers and young people to further refine the platform before exploring broader rollout. As the tool develops, de-identified data may also provide insights into the types of roles young people apply for, common feedback themes, and recurring skill gaps, helping inform Future Connect’s programs and support services.
SBAT Breakfast 2025
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SBAT Breakfast Event 2025
On 4 September 2025, Future Connect hosted the 2025 SBAT Breakfast at West Waters Entertainment Complex, bringing together educators, industry partners, SBAT providers and students to strengthen connections and promote School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. The event provided an opportunity to showcase Future Connect’s collaborative approach to supporting schools and careers practitioners’.
In the morning, a virtual presentation from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, delivered by VET Unit Manager Loretta Black, highlighted key priority areas for VET delivered to Secondary Students. These included construction, health, digital technologies and renewable energy, alongside a focus on the ongoing need to expand training provider capacity to support SBAT pathways.
A highlight of the morning was hearing directly from students and graduates who have participated in SBATs. Their experiences demonstrated the value of combining education with practical, on-the-job learning, and reinforced the positive impact SBATs have on building employability skills, confidence and clear career pathways post school.
The networking event had young people who previously did a SBAT share their experience.
Chloe, a recent SBAT graduate with Leisure Employment Australia, shared her experience transitioning from school to ongoing employment. Chloe described how her SBAT provided both clarity and confidence in her career direction. Minh Dang offered a complementary perspective, reflecting on his journey from SBAT participant to his current role within HeadStart. Together, their stories demonstrated the long-term impact of SBATs not only in supporting immediate employment outcomes, but also in fostering continued growth, leadership and connection back into the program.
The event concluded with a structured networking session following by a catered breakfast, enabling meaningful engagement between Careers teacher and SBAT providers and employers.
The SBAT Breakfast emphasised the importance of collaboration across education and industry, and Future Connects ongoing commitment to creating strong, sustainable pathways for young people from school into meaningful employment.
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VET Taster Day 2025
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VET Taster Day
Future Connect once again delivered its annual VET Taster Day in 2025, providing students with an opportunity to explore vocational education pathways before making important subject selections. More than 150 students from partner schools attended the event, which was hosted across two locations. AGA Trade School and Catholic Regional College (CRC) Sydenham.
The VET Taster Day is designed to help students gain a clearer understanding of the courses available to them and the career pathways those courses can lead to. By giving students direct exposure to training environments and course content, the event supports informed decision making and helps reduce the likelihood of students needing to change courses later in their studies.
The day began at CRC Sydenham, where students were introduced to a range of VET programs delivered at the college. During the session, students explored different industry areas and learned more about the skills and career opportunities associated with each course. The visit provided a valuable overview of vocational pathways and encouraged students to think about how their interests could translate into future study or employment.
Students had the chance to see learning spaces, interact with staff, and gain a deeper understanding of what studying a
VET program involves. For many, it helped bring clarity to the choices they will soon be making as they plan their senior secondary pathway.
In the afternoon, students travelled to AGA Trade School, where the focus shifted to hands on trade-based training. Students toured the facilities and observed workshops where carpentry, electrical, plumbing and automotive training takes place.
The visit gave students an opportunity to see industry style training environments and understand the practical nature of trade-based VET courses. Experiencing these spaces first -hand helped students build a stronger understanding of what a future career in the trades could look like.
The VET Taster Day continues to be an important initiative in supporting students to make confident and informed decisions about their education and career pathways. By connecting students with training providers and real learning environments, the event helps bridge the gap between school-based learning and industry skills.
Future Connect thanks CRC Sydenham and AGA Trade School for hosting the event and providing students with such valuable insights into their local VET facilities.
School To Work
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School To Work
In 2025, Future Connect continued to expand meaningful workplace opportunities for students through Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) and Work Experience. Across the year, 210 students were successfully placed with employers, allowing them to gain first hand industry experience and strengthen their career pathways. Many of these placements occurred within some of the most popular VET courses, particularly Building and Construction and Business.
A major highlight of the year was the collaboration with the State Electricity Commission (SEC). Students were invited to work alongside SEC teams in a consulting style placement where they were presented with real industry problem statements. Throughout the placement, students engaged with different teams across the organisation, learning about renewable energy initiatives and the broader energy sector. They then developed and presented their proposed solutions back to SEC staff. Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. Participants spoke about how much they learned about renewable energy, the wide range of career options within the sector, and the confidence they gained from presenting their ideas in a professional environment. Students from Keilor Downs College, Lakeview Senior College and St Albans Secondary College took part in this innovative experience.
Another significant achievement was the partnership with Hand Brake Turn, which provided highly engaging automotive industry placements. A total of 17 students participated in placements at the auto workshop where they immersed themselves in the day-to-day operations of the facility. Students worked directly with vehicles, explored basic engineering concepts related to motors, and developed essential work readiness skills. The experience helped students build confidence in a workplace environment while strengthening their practical automotive skills. The success of this initiative has led Hand Brake Turn to expand their involvement, with plans to offer more placements and longer experiences for students in 2026.
Future Connect also partnered with ADCO Constructions during the development of the new Kolorer College in Cobblebank. This provided a valuable opportunity for students studying Building and Construction to work directly on a live construction project. Students were able to tour the site shadowing different workers, observe the different stages of construction, and gain insight into the various trades and roles involved in delivering a major infrastructure project. The experience offered a practical connection between classroom learning and industry practice.
Industry engagement continued to grow across the year, with 27 new employers partnering with Future Connect to offer work experience and structured workplace learning opportunities. This expansion of industry partnerships has strengthened the program’s ability to connect students with real world experiences across a range of sectors.
As part of our outreach strategy, we also developed two short animations to clearly communicate the benefits of engaging with Future Connect. One animation was designed specifically for the schools we partner with, visually illustrating the value Future Connect provides to students and educational communities. The second was tailored for employers, highlighting the advantages of working with Future Connect and the impact of offering meaningful work placement opportunities.
Both animations focused on the student journey from school into the workplace, showcasing the different pathways available and demonstrating where Future Connect plays a key role in supporting transitions. Through these visual narratives, we aimed to strengthen engagement, improve understanding of our services, and reinforce the value of collaboration across both education and industry sectors.
Looking ahead, Future Connect will continue to focus on building strong relationships with industry and creating new opportunities in key sectors. By expanding employer partnerships and developing innovative placement models, the program aims to further support students as they explore career pathways and prepare for the workforce.
Work Readiness
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Work Readiness
In 2025, Future Connect delivered a range of hands-on work-readiness activities to help students build confidence and prepare for employment. Working closely with both The Jackson School and Melton Specialist School, students were allowed to step into real-world scenarios through workshops and practice interviews tailored to their needs.
At Jackson School, 25 Year 11 and 12 students participated in a structured series of work-readiness sessions designed to progressively build their skills and confidence. A key factor of this program was the Virtual Reality Interview Simulator, which provided students with the opportunity to experience what a job interview looks and feels like in a virtual setting. This immersive experience allowed students to practise responding to interview questions and become familiar with the interview process in a supportive, low-pressure environment, alongside their career’s teachers.
The VR simulation played an important role in preparing students for their in-person interviews, helping them feel more comfortable, confident, and ready. Following this, students participated in a full Practice Interview Day at the Westvale Community Centre, where they interviewed for roles based on real entry level job advertisements. This progression enabled students to apply their skills in a real-world setting, present themselves to showcase their skills and interests and receive valuable feedback from industry volunteers.
Melton Specialist School also participated in a tailored Practice Interview session with a group of 6 students. This session was adapted to support students with additional needs, creating a supportive and inclusive environment where they could build confidence, practice communication skills, and engage with employers in a meaningful way.
Across both schools, students were supported by a fantastic group of volunteers from organisations including Brimbank City Council, Skills and Jobs Centre, and the Academy of Interactive Entertainment. These volunteers played a key role in creating a realistic interview experience and providing constructive, encouraging feedback.
31 students from the specialist school students took part in the Work Readiness program. The experience not only helped students develop practical employability skills but also gave them the confidence to take the next steps toward work, training, or further education.
An additional work-readiness session was organised for students at Springside West Secondary College, giving Year 11 and 12 students the chance to learn more about different career pathways and how to prepare for the world of work. The session ran as a rotating format, with small groups of students moving between classrooms to hear from a range of industry and training providers, with a strong focus on apprenticeships, traineeships, and understanding employment law.
Representatives from MEGT, Kangan Institute, and the Young Workers Centre shared insights into their organisations, the opportunities available to students, and practical tips for getting work ready. Students also had access to useful pathwa
Virtual Reality (VR) Workshops
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Virtual Reality Career Exploration
Throughout 2025, Future Connect delivered a series of Virtual Reality career exploration sessions across schools in the Brimbank and Melton area. The Virtual reality headsets provided students with immersive, hands-on experiences to enhance career awareness, build confidence, and develop practical employability skills from the comfort of their classroom during a school incursion. The VR headsets helped support students who may not engage as readily with traditional career education.
The VR sessions introduced students to a range of simulated workplace environments, allowing them to explore different industries in an accessible way. Sessions were delivered across a diverse range of schools, including Melton Specialist School, Keilor Downs College, St Albans Secondary College, Taylors Lakes Secondary College, Staughton College, Kurunjang Secondary College, Hester Hornbrook Academy, Gilson College, CALM School, and Jackson School. Each session was tailored to meet the needs of students and the varying numbers in each school. Headsets were provided through rotating groups of 10 students.
Forget Me Not
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Forget Me Not
Building on the development work undertaken in 2024, Future Connect continued to progress the Forget Me Not (FMN) micro-learning platform in 2025. The app complements our youth programs by providing short, accessible learning activities that reinforce key workplace skills and concepts. By embedding micro-learning into our work, Forget Me Not helps young people reinforce skills in manageable steps, supporting confidence and readiness for real workplace environments.
During the year, six learning modules were developed and made available for young people to access through the platform. These modules focus on practical workplace knowledge and soft skills relevant to programs such as YouthGrounds. We are also working on testing these modules with young people to help us understand how they engage with the content and inform further improvements to the content on the platform.
Towards the end of the year, three staff members undertook training to become content authors. As part of this process, they developed three additional modules, which will be available for young people to access in the first half of 2026. This will strengthen Future Connect’s internal capacity to create and update learning content, allowing us to expand the app and ensure it continues to align with our programs and the needs of young people.
The Forget Me Not platform continues to be informed by our involvement in the Pathways in Place Action Network (PiPAN), supporting evidence-based approaches to workplace learning and skills development.
Department of Education (DE) VET Transport Fund
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Department of Education (DE) VET Transport Fund
In 2025 DE announced that Future Connect had again been successful in obtaining funding to assist students in both Brimbank and Melton who might require transport assistance in order for them to attend their VET course. Future Connect would continue to coordinate this funding.
Again, after receiving feedback from schools and other sources, it was agreed that students travelling to AGA in Deer Park were most in need of assistance due to AGA’s location. Although train travel was available, the unreliability of the service, and the distant location of the nearest station meant that students were often late to class.
Kinetic bus lines were chosen as the preferred bus provider and the following bus runs were established:
- Tuesday AM & Thursday AM bus services from Watergardens Shopping Centre, via St Albans Train Station to AGA Deer Park
- Wednesday AM & Wednesday PM bus services from Melton Secondary College to AGA Deer Park
Throughout 2025, 2,357 students used the free DE bus service to travel to their VET classes at AGA.
PiPAN
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Pathways in Place Action Network (PiPAN)
In 2025, we finished our engagement with the Pathways in Place Action Network (PiPAN) which was placed within broader work at Victoria University to improve pathways to employment for young people through place-based systems change. PiPAN was a multisectoral group of organisations who support young people and collaboratively worked to design and implement a series of coordinated actions and strategies that create safe and meaningful experiences of work for young people.
Enabling innovation and learning
Through PiPAN, we were able to test new ideas and try approaches we may not have had the capacity to explore on our own. Funding and connections through PiPAN helped us:
- Pilot new tools
- Access additional expertise
- Strengthen sustainability planning
- Build new partnership
This created space for thoughtful experimentation and learning.
Direct project impacts
Our involvement in PiPAN directly supported the progress and development of our FMN modules, the development and testing of the Future Recruit tool, and co-design with community partners. Community stakeholders were also involved in developing and shaping these initiatives, building a shared understanding of tools that better support young people.
Evaluation and systems learning
PiPAN also helped us strengthen how we approach evaluation. Instead of seeing evaluation just as a reporting requirement, we have continued building it into our everyday practice as a learning tool, especially through our data dashboard and Seer work. This means, we are strengthening our capacity to identify patterns, adapt programs, and respond to what the evidence is telling us.
SEER
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SEER
Through our involvement with PiPAN, Future Connect had the opportunity to work with SEER, a data platform that helps organisations capture, understand and communicate the impact of their work. SEER combines quantitative indicators with qualitative insights such as stories, case studies and community feedback to support learning in complex systems. More information about the platform can be found at https://seerdata.ai/.
Future Connect began developing our SEER dashboard to strengthen how we capture and communicate the outcomes of our programs in 2025. Staff undertook training with the SEER team to build internal capability in using the platform, alongside regular fortnightly meetings to refine our approach and design the dashboard.
Our work with SEER focuses on understanding the “direction of travel” of change, recognising that meaningful outcomes often emerge gradually in complex place-based work. Rather than focusing only on end results, we look for signals of change such as increased participation, stronger partnerships, and greater youth voice in decision-making.
The dashboard combines data, insights and participant stories to provide a more complete picture of how change is happening across our works. This will support reflection, shared learning and clearer communication of impact for partners, funders and community members.
The SEER dashboard is expected to launch at Future Connect’s AGM in May 2026.
Future Connect Financials 2025
