Outreach Across Cultures: Building Scaffolding for More Equitable and Diverse Career Pathways for Young People in Sunraysia
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posted on 2025-10-14, 05:05 authored by Makiko Nishitani, Rose ButlerRose Butler, Maryanne PaleOutreach Across Cultures: Building Scaffolding for More Equitable and Diverse Career Pathways for Young People in Sunraysia
Funding
Strengthening Intercultural Relationships among Australia's Rural Youth | Grant ID: DE190100247
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Open access
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engNotes
Funded by the Scanlon Foundation and the Australian Research Council.Pagination
1-11Research statement
Background In 2024, our research team led a project in Sunraysia to examine whether and how culturally tailored outreach activities in Sunraysia could assist these second-generation Pacific young people to build vocational career pathways outside of seasonal work in the horticultural industry. To pursue this aim, we collaborated with the SuniTAFE Skills & Jobs Centre and Swan Hill Rural City Council to deliver three targeted workshops to young Pacific people in Robinvale. Fourteen young people aged between 16 and 24 took part in this project, with most attending all three workshops. Contribution A range of outreach services currently exist in the Sunraysia region. However, our research shows that these important activities are typically conducted within ‘mainstream’ organisations such as secondary schools. For example, SuniTAFE Skills & Jobs Centre already operates the Mallee Mobile Service and collaborates with local high schools to provide key information on career development not only in Mildura but also in Robinvale and other surrounding regions. However, the Pacific youth participants in our research had never used these services before and it was their first time receiving services through this project. Significance Our results demonstrate the importance of holding culturally tailored activities to reach out to targeted community members. Our findings show that for service providers to effectively connect with under-represented community members, it is crucial not only to ensure geographic accessibility but to conduct outreach in the sites where young people are already involved and where young people feel comfortable and culturally safe, such as faith-based organisations. Our findings also make clear that it is vital to work with cultural mediators who can translate service outreach presentations and resources into a more relatable format for young people.Publisher
La Trobe UniversityPlace of publication
Bundoora, VictoriaUsage metrics
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