Teens Work Know-How Program
Transition to Work Know-How Program
Early Participant Application for 2025-26
Join Our Teens Work Know-How Program: Your Opportunity to Shine
Are you or someone you know a student, and ready to be supported in taking the next step towards transitioning from School into the Workforce? We’re thrilled to invite you to express your early interest in our Teens Work Know-How Program, running in 2025. This expression of interest page will remain open from now until 2026! This will allow us to showcase community need.
This early application will help us in proactively managing our program to ensure its the best it can be for all, and in our grant applications and advocacy work. Your early efforts are supporting us to keep this program funded, and our community supported.
Why This Program Matters
Our Teens Work Know-How Program is more than just a series of workshops—it’s a community-driven initiative designed to empower neurodiverse teens with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the workplace. Here’s why this program is crucial:
- Empowering Futures: We provide the tools and support to help neurodiverse teens navigate the professional world with confidence. This program is tailored to highlight and harness their unique strengths.
- Building Stronger Communities: By focusing on individual abilities and fostering an inclusive environment, we are building a community where everyone can contribute and succeed. Jacob, our Program Manager, knows firsthand, "a lot of learning for our cohort is helping them cut through the jargon, explaining the first principles, the Why behind the actions taken, and being able to understand and mentor their curiosity".
- Advocating for Change: Your involvement helps us collect valuable data that showcases the impact and ROI of neurodiverse talent, how educators and employers can best support, harness and train your talents, and helping all parties understand how the spectrum may speak in a place of work.
This evidence is critical for securing future funding and expanding our reach and services to community, and more importantly, employers are businesses, this helps us showcase with tangible data, supported by our industry stakeholders, the long-term results of employing our community. The earlier our cohort understand themselves, their place on the spectrum, only then can they support, or be supported
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in the Teens Work Know-How Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age: Must be within the legal working age of 15- 18 by the time the program round starts.
- School Enrollment: Must be enrolled in secondary school or through the Home Schooling Network (HEN).
- Commitment: Must be able to meet the scheduled requirements of the program.
- School Support: Must have the school’s knowledge and signature for work experience placement to be included as part of the participant's school VET (Vocational Education and Training) learning.
How Your Participation Makes a Difference
- Early Access: By expressing your interest now, you’ll be prioritized for onboarding in our final round of the current grant extension in 2025.
- Future Notifications: You’ll be among the first to hear about additional funding and new programs from 2025-2026 if we receive further funding.
- Program Development: Your early application helps us understand community needs and develop diverse program options, including school curriculum integration, holiday programs, and/ or online courses.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Our program isn’t just about skills; it’s about changing lives. Here is a story from our Team that highlight the social value of our work:
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Community Voices: One of our participants, "Emma", shared how the program helped her build confidence in a way that traditional approaches in school didn’t. She learned to speak to her unique strengths to feel more confident in job interviews and the transition process, understanding that what made her a leader in her basket ball team, and her love for sport, is why she is fit for the role; not because of her Resume. This participant then went off to work in a sports store at DFO.
Another student, "Samantha" also suffered from stress related/undiagnosed tics, something that Jacob, due to his Tourette Syndrome understood the self consciousness of. Both of them, not being around many other "Tickers" connected, this report, this shared understanding, allowed for Sam to take of the mask, to transition from the timid shy girl who came in, feeling like her ticks would make her unable to achieve her goals, to one of the stand out students in our cohort. This preconceived mindset was brought to a halt; when she saw someone, doing exactly what she felted would never be possible. That reprograming of her believes, through seeing it with their own eyes, and being understood, was shared to be more impactful then any information, and a deeply impactful moment for both, and our program so far.
Our ILC Commitment
Since 2019, supported by an ILC grant, we’ve faced challenges but remain dedicated to our mission; to deliver the Teens Work Know-How Program.
Despite the hurdles, including those from COVID-19, we’ve persevered, and pivoted through these challenges with the support of our community and stakeholders.
We continued to focus on leading by example, employing more lived experience team members, and exceeding past outcomes.
Your participation is key to our success. It allows us to:
- Showcase Unique Talents: Highlight the skills and abilities of neurodiverse teens.
- Secure Essential Funding: Use collected data to advocate for extended or new grants.
- Expand Our Offerings: Create more programs tailored to various needs and preferences.
Express Your Interest
Ready to make a difference? Fill out the EOI Form to express your interest in the Teens Work Know-How Program. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a program that is changing lives and making a real impact.
Together, We Can Create a Brighter Future
Thank you for considering joining us. Your involvement will help us build a more inclusive and supportive community for neurodiverse teens.
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