2024 Future Connect SBAT Breakfast

On Thursday, the 5th of September 2024, Future Connect hosted its annual SBAT breakfast at WestWaters Hotel in Caroline Springs, a fantastic opportunity for our dedicated teachers from the Brimbank/Melton area to connect with a selection of SBAT providers and hear from a selection of speakers.

Future Connect CEO, Deirdre Hardy, opened the Breakfast event. Ben Fitzgerald from VCAA then joined us on-line and provided a detailed update session including the new credit arrangement, revisions to the SWL Recognition Study Design and booklet, updates to VET resources and ongoing program reviews. We then welcomed Margaret Zerafa from Leisure Employment Australia and SBAT student, Natasha Allan. Natasha did a wonderful job describing her SBAT journey with Leisure Employment Australia.

Future Connect's newest staff member, Jonathon Cartwright, the new Co-design Project Specialist, introduced himself to the audience and provided a brief update about Future Connect's Social Enterprise Cafe, YouthGrounds which is located within the Kurunjang Community Hub in Melton. The cafe is now offering a catering service and leaflets had been distributed to all participants at the Breakfast about this exciting new opportunity.

The next speaker was Caden Harte from The Winslow Group who shared the success story of one of their students undertaking an SBAT with Winslow. This segment highlighted the benefits and impact of SBATs on both the students and the business, providing insights into the real-world application and outcomes of the program.

After a delicious buffet breakfast the eight SBAT providers each hosted a table and teachers and careers practitioners' were able to visit each table in turn to find out more about what these SBAT Provides could deliver.

Deirdre then took the opportunity to summarise the key takeaways from the event, thank our speakers, providers and attendees for their participation. Attendees then took the opportunity to network until the event closed.

Future Connect would like to thank the following SBAT Providers who attended the SBAT Breakfast