Passions & Pathways

✨ What better way to inspire young students than by hearing from young professionals who are building their careers right now?

Our Young Industry Ambassadors have delivered talks in all 12 Passions & Pathways primary schools. They've shared the story of their journey to their current job, demonstrating that there are many different pathways into the world of work, including some that weren't part of the original plan.

A huge thank you to our Young Industry Ambassadors for generously sharing their time, experiences, and advice with the next generation.

🚀 Real stories. Real pathways. Real inspiration. 🌟

On Monday Tia visited Kangaroo Flat Primary School as the Young Industry Ambassador as part of Passions & Pathways program. Sharing her journey from school to where she is today, inspiring students to explore their passions and future pathways.

"What do I enjoy? What am I good at? What could my future look like?"
These are powerful questions for young people to explore.

These students, participating in Passions & Pathways, are gaining hands-on experiences, and learning about professions that they can get to through studying with our local tertiary education providers.

Every pathway starts with curiosity. 💡

🎓 Exploring Future Pathways

This week, students participating in Passions & Pathways are experiencing a Tertiary Education Immersion Day, visiting La Trobe University, Bendigo, Bendigo Tech School and Bendigo TAFE.

For most, this will be their first visit to a tertiary education campus. The purpose of the day isn't to ask students to decide what they want to do when they leave school. It's about helping them understand that they have options and show them where to find information when they're ready to make those career decisions.

By spending time in these learning environments, students can begin to imagine themselves in a range of post-school settings, and recognise that further study is a choice they can actively choose to pursue.

Thank you to our education partners, and particularly to Belinda, Trudy, Ember, Dan, Dan, Kerry, Josie and Shay.

Learn more about Passions & Pathways: https://www.passionsandpathways.org.au/

🌟 The pathway to the future isn't always a straight line 🌟

In fact, some of life's best opportunities come from unexpected detours.

This week in Passions & Pathways, students will be visualising possible futures and exploring the idea that plans can change, new opportunities can emerge, and unexpected experiences can take us in directions we never imagined.

They're learning about adaptability — thinking about the twists and turns their futures might take — and in a couple of weeks, they'll meet some incredible young professionals who will share their own journeys into the world of work, including the unexpected turns that helped shape where they are today.

That's the power of Passions & Pathways, creating opportunities for young people to explore possibilities, challenge assumptions about the future, and discover that there are many different pathways they can take.

And so it begins 🙌

The first lesson students undertake in Passions & Pathways is to learn about Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and the important work of Occupational Hygienists.

Thanks to the awesome staff at Safe Work Training for making this important lesson so engaging for the students at Huntly Primary School!

What an awesome way to start the term for our Grade 5/6 students!

As part of their Passions and Pathways unit, they were lucky to welcome Justin, who introduced students to the importance of workplace safety, including Work Safety and OH&S, and why these are essential in every workplace.

Students explored a range of safety equipment, learned what it is used for, and had the opportunity to try on and test out different pieces of safety gear. It was a fun, hands-on session that gave our students a great insight into staying safe at work and the many careers where these skills are important.

A huge thank you to Justin for sharing his knowledge and helping us kick off the term in such an engaging way!

Passions & Pathways is officially underway for 2026, and we are excited to be working with more than 500 Grade 5 and 6 students across 12 schools throughout central Victoria.

A warm welcome to our participating schools, teachers, students, local businesses and community partners. Thank you for coming together to help young people explore their strengths, discover new possibilities and build confidence in their future.

Over the next 10 weeks, students will connect with local industry, meet inspiring role models, experience workplaces firsthand and learn more about themselves, their skills and the opportunities available in our region.

We are grateful to everyone who contributes their time, knowledge and enthusiasm to make Passions & Pathways possible.

Here's to a fantastic Term 3!

Every young person has strengths and skills.

When young people recognise what they enjoy and what they're capable of, their confidence grows. They begin to see new possibilities for their future and make more informed decisions about learning, careers and life.

Through hands-on experiences and connections with local industry, Passions & Pathways helps students explore their interests, build self-awareness and develop the confidence to pursue a future that is meaningful to them.

Passions & Pathways commences in 12 central Victorian schools on 13 July.

Young people's aspirations are often shaped by the adults who encourage them, support them and help them see what's possible.

That's why Passions & Pathways helps students and families explore the many education, training and career opportunities available today. Through workplace visits, industry connections and hands-on learning, students gain real-world insights into what's possible after school.

Our students and educators are enjoying a well-earned break, and we're excited for Term 3 to begin with 512 students and 12 schools participating, across the region.

Congratulations to Goldfields LLEN on this exciting recognition. As a proud Goldfields LLEN program, we're thrilled to see the organisation's impact on young people and our community acknowledged through the Be.Bendigo Business Excellence Awards.

The Goldfields LLEN team are super proud to be named a finalist in the 2026 Bendigo Bank and Be.Bendigo Business Excellence Awards for Education and Training, and Not-for-profit categories.

This proves what strong local partnerships can achieve. Our impact is made possible by the schools, employers, industry partners, community organisations and supporters who work with us to create meaningful pathways for young people across our region.

Thank you to everyone who continues to open doors, share expertise and help build brighter futures for local young people.

The Goldfields LLEN team are super proud to be named a finalist in the 2026 Bendigo Bank and Be.Bendigo Business Excellence Awards for Education and Training, and Not-for-profit categories.

This proves what strong local partnerships can achieve. Our impact is made possible by the schools, employers, industry partners, community organisations and supporters who work with us to create meaningful pathways for young people across our region.

Thank you to everyone who continues to open doors, share expertise and help build brighter futures for local young people.