CVGT Sponsorship Supports Work Experience for First Nations Youth

A sponsorship from CVGT Employment has helped remove barriers to work experience for First Nations young people who are no longer in school.

Delivered by On-Country Pathways (OCP), the Work Experience Program connects participants with local businesses for one and two-week placements, helping them gain practical skills, confidence and insight into potential career pathways. The program provides culturally safe placements and mentoring support for both participants and host businesses throughout the experience.

While school students are typically covered by Department of Education insurance, young people who have left school often miss out on these opportunities due to the lack of insurance coverage. CVGT Employment’s sponsorship addressed this gap by funding short-term insurance for non-school participants, allowing them to safely undertake work experience placements.

Between September and December 2025, the sponsorship directly supported 10 First Nations young people to participate in the program, including Mason from Albury, who did his placement with a local commercial construction business TVN On-Country in November 2025. Mason has since accepted an offer for full-time employment from TVN as an apprentice carpenter.

Through these placements, participants gained valuable workplace experience across a range of industries while building their confidence and employability skills.

Across 2025, the program inducted 124 participants, with 62 First Nations young people placed with 47 businesses across Victoria and New South Wales in industries including automotive, childcare, community services, trades and sport.

On Country Pathways General Manager Jebb Hutchison said the support has made a meaningful impact in addressing barriers faced by First Nations youth.

CVGT Employment’s generous sponsorship has supported OCP in addressing employment barriers for First Nations youth. This support is a meaningful step toward the generational change we seek, and we are deeply grateful. This sponsorship has enabled placement opportunities for our program participants.”
Jebb Hutchison
On Country Pathways General Manager

CVGT Employment is honoured to support On Country Pathways in providing opportunities for First Nations young people to develop pathways to employment. Their commitment helps to overcome barriers to employment and support First Nations young people into meaningful career pathways.

Learn more about CVGT Employment’s Sponsorship and Community Grants programs to see how we’re helping local organisations make a real difference