A partnership between the John Henry Institute (JHI), MEGT, and the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL), formerly the Catholic Schools Office was recently formed to support fifteen young CSO employees who have embarked on traineeships in Certificate IV in Leadership & Management.

The group signed up for their traineeships and completed an induction workshop at Opal Cove Resort in Coffs Harbour on 5 February.

Natasha Murphy, Manager JHI, said the induction workshop was designed to be fun and to help the trainees, who reside between Tweed Heads and Port Macquarie, get to know each other.

“After some fun icebreakers, we started to unpack the definitions of what leadership is and what management is and then discussed the difference between the two,” says Natasha.

Matt de Dassel, Lead for the DLCSL’s School Evangelisation/Mission Services, has worked with staff at JHI to contextualise the program (incorporating content from existing Evangelisation programs) to meet the learning outcomes and unit requirements of the Certificate IV in Leadership & Management.

“The partnership is unique in that has a direct link to training for leadership in existing faith-based pastoral roles, such as the Youth Ministry Development Officer, College/School Youth Ministers, Regional Ministry Assistants at the DLCSL,” says Matt.

“Content for the course, its practical assessments and project work, has been carefully mapped to target ‘real life’ aspects and initiatives of these roles so that the trainees develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful leaders in them,” adds Natasha.

“We are very excited at JHI to be involved in this program because it is always very rewarding to see people develop news skills and confidence that benefits them in practical ways in the workplace,” says Natasha.

“The DLCSL is right behind the program and has nominated, Hogan Rogers, our Youth Ministry Development Officer, as a support person for the trainees in Diocesan schools,” adds Matt.

The 12-month traineeship program will involve fortnightly online workshops and block training in the school holidays.

About the partners

The John Henry Institute (JHI), the Registered Training Organisation of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish [RTO No: 7054] delivers quality adult education and training in nationally accredited skill sets, qualifications, traineeships and apprenticeships.

The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited (DLCSL) provides a range of services to support approximately 2,500 staff in 45 vibrant and dynamic school communities that serve more than 18,000 students between Tweed Heads and Laurieton, including the six schools of St Agnes’ Catholic Parish.

MEGT, Australia’s largest and only national Apprenticeship Network Provider, is a not-for-profit organisation that provides support to employers, apprentices, trainees, job seekers and students.