Vocational training provided at Banksia Hill Detention Centre is helping young people secure jobs – and discover future career opportunities – with one of Australia’s biggest employers.
Two former detainees have become the first to join contractor Programmed under a collaborative initiative which engages with young people while they’re in detention.
“It’s about trying to engage them in routine to try break cycles they might have been into in the past,” Justice Reintegration Team leader, Ben Hasler said.
“Even though they’re young, some of the decisions they’ve made make them feel like they’ve blown their chances at employment and that’s far from the truth.”
The young people were part of a cohort being trained in accredited courses at Banksia Hill and were identified by Programmed for potential regular employment when their detention ended.
The initiative began last year, and the first former detainee joined the Programmed facility management arm in August 2024.
“I’m grateful they gave me the opportunity to better myself, it’s brilliant” he said. “Now I’m hoping to move towards a sparky apprenticeship, so hopefully I can get on to that.”
He was joined by the newest recruit three weeks ago, and the company also is engaging with other potential employees at Banksia Hill.
The young people hired are involved in gardening, landscaping and maintenance work for contracted clients of Programmed, which also provides wraparound support for them and their families or support networks.
The young people are mentored by staff, including a youth mentor, before and throughout their employment, while liaising with Department of Justice staff and the not-for-profit sector.
“Young people are really investing in the vocational training on offer and companies like Programmed are setting our kids up for success upon release,” Acting Corrective Services Commissioner Rick Curtis said.
“We strongly encourage employers to get into this space, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Detainees at Banksia Hill can participate in on-site certificate courses in trades including construction and horticulture.
Two new programs piloted last year were a Certificate II course in Civil Construction funded by the Waalitj Foundation and working at heights and in confined spaces training provided by Yalagan Group.
Expos are also held at the facility where detainees can meet employers and educators and create opportunities for work and further training after release.
“It makes you think about your life,” the newest Programmed recruit from Banksia Hill said. “You have something to look forward to, a goal to achieve.”
