Shire kicks off RISE workshops for young people

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River is kick starting a youth development project for young people called RISE (Resilient Innovative Skilled Employed), with the first of many free workshops, events and skills development opportunities set to start next month. RISE aims to upskill local youth and assist them to explore various pathways to a wide range of diverse and emerging professional careers. The Shire of Augusta Margaret River was successful in securing $74,536 funding from Lotterywest for the program earlier this year, to develop the free and accessible program for young people. Shire RISE Program Coordinator and Community Development Officer Katie Taylor said the program would give youth the skills and confidence to turn their passions into dream careers through innovative partnerships with local community organisations. “RISE will provide opportunities for local young people to explore a wide range of professions and careers they may not otherwise think about or know how to pursue,” she said. “By providing a way for young people to enhance their skills and broaden their horizons, we hope to improve their access to jobs and volunteer opportunities and to help pave the way towards the development of some new business ventures.” “RISE is also expected to result in economic and social development opportunities within the Shire by supporting local organisations while upskilling young people,” she said. Skill-based workshops that will be offered by RISE in 2021 include skate ramp construction with the Concrete Club and Cowaramup Men’s Shed, making clothes with Woven Cowaramup, short story writing with Centre for Stories, podcasting and DJ-ing with Radio Margaret River, mountain bike trail building with Magic Dirt Trailworx and creative workshops and career-based ‘speed dating’ with Margaret River Open Studios, Strings Attached Guitar Festival and Emergence Creative Festival. Ms Taylor encouraged young people aged 14-25 to book early for the first workshop with Kaiman, a young local illustrator and graphic designer. “The first RISE workshop is for young creatives with an interest in drawing and graphic design,” Ms Taylor explained. “At this workshop, youth will learn to progress their drawing skills and will also have the chance to hear about how Kaiman turned his love of graphic art into a career.” The Illustrative Skills Workshop with Kaiman will be held on Tuesday 13 April from 9.30am to 11.30am at the Zone Room in the Margaret River Youth Precinct. Places are limited so booking early is recommended on phone 08 9780 5255 or email to [email protected] There will also be an opportunity to collaborate with Kaiman in designing and painting the front entrance to the Youth Zone Room at a Mural Design Workshop at the Youth Week Festival on Friday 16 April from 3pm to 6pm.

To find out more about RISE workshops and events, stay tuned to www.amrshire.wa.gov.au/RISE or contact the Shire’s Community Development team by phone 08 9780 5255 or email  [email protected]

NB: The Shire’s RISE program was initially dubbed the ‘Grab a Bite’ program and has since been renamed. Previous media release: https://www.amrshire.wa.gov.au/news/media-releases/1307/community-initiatives-get-250000-lotterywest-funding-boost/