Integrated Pathways at Kepnock (IP@K)

Youth unemployment rates in the Bundaberg region remain one of Australia’s highest. The challenge of youth unemployment is caused by complex social and economic factors that have left youth disengaged from education, work, and future opportunity.

For the local employers, disengagement has resulted in difficulty in finding workers and has created a false stigma about our region.

IP@K is a vocation-based program for year 7-10 students to address these challenges and re-connect disengaged youth through a series of immersive experiences hosted by businesses throughout the Bundaberg region.

2022 Pilot Cohort

Kepnock State High School, Bundaberg Regional Council and local agriculture stakeholders launched the program in Term 2 of 2022 to support a cohort of 10 students in an immersive learning approach through hands-on skills acquisition, competency training and building relationships with industry mentors.

This new approach has led students to develop interest in a range of local industries and has built confidence and inspired them to pursue a brighter future. Below are key project outcomes:

• Significant improvement in attendance and behaviour
• Student perception data showed an improvement in self-confidence, engagement in learning and positive relationships with the Bundaberg community.
• The program was strongly supported by the student’s families and we have had expressions of interest from a large number of students and parents/carers to be involved in IP@K.
• Since the successful completion of the pilot program, the IP@K steering group has been approached by a range of industries and organisations who have expressed interest in being involved in future programs.

IP@K 2023 – Expressions of Interest for Industry Mentors

The steering committee is preparing the IP@K program for 2023. The aim for 2023 is to expand the program beyond agriculture to include construction, tourism and hospitality, and much more.

If this is something you or your organisation would like to be involved in, please complete the expression of interest form and one of the IP@K steering committee members will be in contact with the next step.

For more information, please contact Steffi Bates on steffi.bates@bundaberg.qld.gov.au.