Tapping into the wisdom and brilliance of Ararat’s young people

Ararat Rural City Council (ARCC) in partnership with Crazy Ideas College (CIC) is pleased to announce the establishment of its Ararat Youth Activators Program (AYA) which will be rolled out in 2023 and beyond.

AYA taps into the wisdom and brilliance of Ararat’s young people and will contribute to building a pool of talented young people who are confident, capable, and participating in the workforce and social spheres.

ARRC, CIC, and other local stakeholders want to make sure young people in Ararat have a range of opportunities to build key capabilities and make their mark in community and economic life. The first year of AYA will see CIC deliver programs such as Social Innovators, Lead for Impact, and Future Ready across Ararat, with local primary and secondary schools, community and local businesses participating.

The initiatives will enable young people to:

Invent services, programs and products that showcase new and ingenious ways to care for our planet and enable more people to live healthy, fulfilling, prosperous and connected lives; Extend their capacity to lead change in their own lives, in their school and their communities; and Get future-ready and kickstart their careers by stepping into their first part-time job.

CIC will provide all participating young people with relevant micro-credentials and build awareness about their value and how young people can use them to support their learning and vocational journeys. The success of AYA will result in local businesses gaining access to a pool of young talent and new productive connections formed between young people, schools and local businesses and organisations.

Quotes attributable to Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison

“Through Ararat Youth Activators, Council is delivering a new program across the municipality that helps support young people to make their mark in the communities in which they live.”

“Council’s partnership with CIC highlights our shared vision for improved life opportunities for the young people of Ararat Rural City. This program ensures young people in our community can access their valuable services to continue to flourish in the future.”

Quotes Attributable to Crazy Ideas College Co-Founder, Kieran Murrihy. 

‘’We all benefit when we unlock the ingenuity, resourcefulness and optimism of young people. That is why when young people participate in CIC programs they learn the methodologies, tools and mindsets that will enable them to build healthy and prosperous futures for themselves and their communities.’’

About Crazy Ideas College (CIC)

Crazy Ideas College (CIC) leads programs and projects that transform the way young people, businesses, schools, and the community connect and create value for each other. CIC has supported more than 12,000 young people to step into meaningful and powerful opportunities that enable them to cultivate their talents, boost agency and chase their dreams.