The McGowan Government is supporting a youth ocean adventure program to help build the resilience and skills of young people living and working in regional Western Australia.
A $140,000 grant has been provided to the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation for trainees to take part in the Leeuwin Youth Explorer Voyage.
To be eligible for nomination for this experience, trainees must be currently employed by a Community Resource Centre (CRC) or be a trainee selected by the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance Development Commissions.
The seven-day voyage focuses on teamwork, leadership, building self-confidence and problem solving, as the trainees learn to sail a working tall ship along the Western Australian coastline.
Participants take part in activities including taking the helm of the ship, setting and furling sails, climbing the masts and working aloft and standing watch while sailing through the night.
The program is an extension of the CRCs Regional Traineeship Program and aims to build the leadership skills and capacity of trainees. Trainees are encouraged to take the skills learnt on the voyage and apply them in their workplace and wider communities.
Eligible organisations will be contacted directly by the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation in the near future.
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
“This program offers young people living and working in the regions the chance to learn new skills that they can bring back to their workplaces and communities.
“Investing in and encouraging the development and training of our youth is vital to the future growth and sustainability of regional Western Australia.
“Programs run by the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation provide young people with a unique experience and a sense of achievement when they reach the end of a voyage.”
