JT Succeed Archives | Page 2 of 2 | Johnathan Thurston Academy

Johnathan Thurston to join Balonne’s youth extravaganza

Australian football legend Johnathan Thurston has partnered with Balonne Shire Council to celebrate the region’s youth and community with a three-day extravaganza on August 26, 27 and 28, 2019.

JT and his team from the JTAcademy will deliver workshops to primary and high school students from the local and surrounding areas designed to build self-esteem, confidence and believe in themselves.

Students will undertake the academy’s JTSucceed and JTBelieve programs, both designed to encourage students to stay at school, value an education and believe they can be successful in a career of their choosing with the right support.

JT Academy’s Managing Director Johnathan Thurston said he was really excited to bring the academy to the area.

“We are really looking forward to visiting the community and talking directly with the kids as part of these exciting programs,” Thurston said.

“The program, in partnership with the Balonne Shire Council, works on a number of key youth issues and works in conjunction with the wider community.

“I’m also looking forward to getting out and meeting with as many residents of the area, who I know have been doing it tough of late.”

There will be a meet and greet with Thurston between 4.30pm and 6.30pm at Rowden Park, school workshops, a fundraising dinner and motivational sessions.

Balonne Shire Mayor, Richard Marsh, said the region was buzzing with the news that JT was coming to town.

“In these hard times of drought, a visit by someone such as JT is just what is needed to lift the spirits in our community,” he said.

“The work of the JTAcademy is renowned for helping youth and I’m sure our younger residents will really enjoy the workshops.

“I would like to thank JT, the JTAcademy, Primary Health Network, Regional Development Australia and the South West Hospital and Health Service for their support of this visit.”

For more information please call Sarah Morgan (JT Academy) on 0421 664 969 or Julie Davies Balonne Shire Council on 0476 660 047

Johnathan Thurston runs workshops at Mount Isa schools and takes part in Isa Street Festival

As part of the Isa Street Festival, Mount Isa City Council partnered with the Johnathan Thurston Academy to deliver workshops to hundreds of local students and Indigenous leaders at two local high schools, August 6 and 7, as part of a celebration of local youth.

Australian footy legend Johnathan Thurston visited Mount Isa with staff from the JTAcademy as they deliver the JTSucceed workshop over two days at Spinifex High School and Good Shepherd High School.

The JTSucceed workshop helped to build confidence, courage, self-belief, well-being and good mental health, with cyber bullying a focus for this workshop.

The JTAcademy was founded in 2018 to help Australian youth have access to education and training to help them secure meaningful employment, and this starts with building their self-confidence, self-believe and motivation.

JT Academy’s Managing Director Johnathan Thurston said he was really thrilled about how the visit went.

“I was really excited to bring the JT Academy and our JTSucceed workshop to Mount Isa and be part of the local festivities in partnership with Mount Isa City Council,” Thurston said. “We had been really looking forward to the visit and it was great to be so warmly welcomed by the Mt Isa community and be able to talk directly with the kids about issues which impact them.”

Mount Isa City Council Mayor Joyce McCulloch said valuable lessons were shared by the JT Academy to 160 students at Spinifex Junior campus, including 20 Indigenous leaders, 118 Year 8 and Year 9 students at Good Shepherd Catholic College and 25 Flexible Learning Centre students.

“It is more important in a remote city such as Mount Isa that we talk about these issues so we can increase awareness of appropriate actions that this community can take and the support available, particularly for parents.”

JT also personally presented a signed Maroons jersey to the winner of a Facebook competition run by Mt Isa City Council.

“We are headed to Balonne in late August to deliver programs to students there at the invitation of Balonne Shire Council,” Thurston added.

“And I can’t wait!”

Read the full article here: http://bit.ly/2KwnyLoMtIsa

If you are interested in having the JTAcademy deliver tailored programs to your school, community or staff, register your interest at the Academy here: http://jtacademy.com.au/jt-community/

Johnathan Thurston wrong foots Woodridge High with a visit

A visit by Johnathan Thurston to Woodridge State High School in late 2018 as part of the JTSucceed program, caught the students as off-guard as he used to catch his opponents on the footy field.

The JTSucceed program has been developed to encourage students to attend school, to develop their confidence and self-belief and to not give up on their dreams.

“My message is don’t be scared of failing, be more scared of not giving it a go. I want to encourage as many youth as I can to keep turning up to school and to keep believing in themselves,” Thurston said in the story.

Woodridge State High’s Employment Connections Coach, Rhiannon Parsons organised the program for the school and added: “We know Johnathan Thurston is a major role model for the majority of our student population, and he has built such a great reputation for himself that we knew it would be a great program that our students would be excited to be a part of”.

To read the full story click here.

JT gives Summer a kick start

Ibis Mackay manager Scott Grant with Summer Seden who trained through the Johnathan Thurston Academy. Daily Mercury.

A true JTAcademy success story, Summer Seden spoke with the Daily Mercury earlier this year about her journey from nervously starting a traineeship at ibis Mackay hotel to now securing full-time work at the venue.

Summer was connected with the ibis through the JTAcademy and completed a traineeship in hospitality. She impressed management so much; she now has a permanent job.

“A lot of people ask me how I got my job because they are having trouble,” Summer told the paper. “I tell them to go to the JTAcademy because there is no harm in trying.”

JT said the role of the academy is to connect youth with work and training opportunities.

“They just need to be given a go by businesses who believe in them and are happy to take the time to train them,” he said.

To read the full story, visit the Daily Mercury’s website here.

The JT Academy Empowers Followers to Achieve Their Dreams

When the Johnathan Thurston Academy set up the JTEmployment Facebook Group last month, we were hoping to engage our followers and empower them in the jobseeking process. One of the first conversations was started by follower Justin Jackson, who had recently met Johnathan Thurston on his live speaking tour.

We discovered Justin can not work due to ill health but wishes to become a journalist in the future. So we asked Justin if he would be happy to volunteer his time writing an article for the Academy, and as you will see from his words below – we think he has a natural talent. Below Justin shares his experiences and conveys how Johnathan and the Academy has inspired him to volunteer his time and pursue his dreams.

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I first heard of the Johnathan Thurston Academy last year on the news and it certainly piqued my interest. I thought it was the perfect opportunity for JT to give back to the community after serving as Bulldog/Cowboys, Queensland and Australian representative.

After attending the show in Brisbane and meeting Johnathan himself on December 9, 2018, it made me think just how much I wanted to help out in the Academy, even if it was just on a voluntary basis. I used to be a student at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland studying politics, justice and legal studies and law. Having a disability, I was already under pressure to perform well and I had the bar set high on becoming a Crown Barrister for the Department of Public Prosecution when I was struck down with a life-changing illness that ended that dream.

Visiting the Cowboys stadium with my best friend in 2015 and watching the Cowboys take on the Sharks on 27 June 2015, really gave me the motivation to want to do something with my life. I might not be able to study or work medically but I keep myself active by writing my first novel, working on a thesis paper I started at university, keeping active at the gym while also volunteering administrative skills for my local state MP.

I have one dream that I would be able to study a Diploma of Journalism so I can become the state political reporter or a crime reporter. Unfortunately, I cannot afford the financial situation to take out a loan to do so, so that’s where volunteering comes into play.

The JT Academy gives not only people like me hope of obtaining qualifications, but also those from different cultural backgrounds. It is possible, no matter where we may come from, money is not always the answer, and I do believe that the Academy speared by one of the greatest NRL players of recent history, will boost both schooling and working attendance rates across not only Queensland but Australia.

I look forward to seeing the Academy soar to new heights and grow strength to strength in the years to come.

Justin Jackson

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A great way to gain experience, network, build confidence and give back to your community is to volunteer your time in areas you are passionate about. Australia would not be the great country it is without the many volunteers who do amazing work every day.

Are you a JT Academy Star? Get involved by sharing your stories with us.

JT Academy Partnerships Making Life-Changing Impacts for Jobseekers

Stable and supportive employment opportunities have provided life-changing impacts for south Queensland Indigenous residents thanks to partnerships between the Johnathan Thurston (JT) Academy and national businesses.

Torque Heritage chief executive officer Michael Hall said they had placed around 100 Indigenous candidates into employment within Queensland solar farm developments and the JT Academy partnership had played a big part in achieving this.

“We are really on board with everything it [the JT Academy] stands for, we want to be part of it well into the future and continue empowering Indigenous and non-indigenous people to achieve sustainable life-changing results for themselves,” he said.

Butchulla man Wayne Tobane said his life just kept getting better after stable local employment through Torque Heritage in a Hervey Bay solar farm enabled him to stay close to his community, pay his mortgage and provide for his four children.

“I’m over the moon and so grateful to be part of the local workforce and look after my boys,” he said.

“I was going to have to relocate but this opportunity came just at the right time and was a real life-saver.

“I’ve really felt supported, learned new skills and had the chance to gain certification that will help my employability into the future, which all has a positive flow-on effect for my family.”

AccorHotels Indigenous programs executive Kedea Atherton said the JT Academy partnership was generating a great response, with many of the recent Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Brisbane program attendees coming via the JT Academy.

“Through our [Indigenous employment] program, many attendees have been offered positions at AccorHotels,” she said.

“It’s important we provide sustainable and authentic opportunities and through the partnership with the JT Academy we have reached a greater number of applicants and built good relationships.”

The recently retired NRL star Johnathan Thurston, earlier this year embarked on the Brisbane based JT Academy venture, with the intention of empowering people to achieve their life goals.

Thurston said each participant would leave the Academy with a new set of skills to tackle their respective ambitions, whether it is employment, education, health or sport.

Check out the JT Academy Jobs Board here >

Johnathan Thurston stuns students at Woodridge High with a visit – and 60 Minutes gets in on the act

A group of 180 students at Woodridge State High School recently attended an unscheduled assembly where they were hit with a triple surprise none could have guessed was coming.

The students had been taking part in football legend Johnathan Thurston’s JT Succeed Program, an initiative of his JT Academy.

“The students were called to an assembly where we played them a video JT had made thanking them for being a part of the JT Succeed program which we had done last semester,” Woodridge High’s Employment Connections Coach Rhiannon Parsons explained.

“And then without any of the kids knowing, he came to visit us. The kids were so excited. I’m very pleased I don’t need to keep the secret anymore because it was so hard to not let on that JT was coming to the school.

“It was brilliant the kids were able to meet with him and talk with him. JT has inspired a lot of kids through the JT Succeed Program and this has meant a lot to our students.”

There were TV cameras at the school filming what the students were told was material for the JT Academy chronicling a visit from the Academy’s General Manager, Samantha Johnson, who had previously spoken at the school as part of the JT Succeed Program.

What they didn’t know was that the television cameras were part of a 60 Minutes film crew that had been travelling with the footy star for a segment which aired in October 21.

“The kids didn’t know I was going to be here and they had no idea the cameras were here for 60 Minutes so that was a lot of fun,” JT said. “It was so good to be able to come out and surprise these kids with a visit. It is one of the best parts of my job with the JT Academy.

“The students at Woodridge High have been taking part in the JT Succeed program where we talk about self-belief, courage and confidence; how to find them and how to use them. The program is an intensive employment program designed after industry consultation to give young people who want to work, the edge they need to gain and maintain employment.

“I have been told the 1,400 students at Woodridge State high come from more than 60 cultural backgrounds. And the thing is, the message is the same regardless of what that background is.

“The JT Succeed Program looks at a wide range of subjects and importantly includes a focus on building self-confidence. Self-confidence is something that everybody of every age, in every area can use more of.

“We’ve got a big bag of tips and advice, including some useful activities that participants can use and put into play on a daily basis to increase and build their confidence.

“We also encourage a change of mindset. We love to empower courage with our participants and give them the self-belief to put their hand up for future employment opportunities. We’re all about encouraging our participants to build their aspirations and achieve their goals.”

JT told students he receives a report about every school visit undertaken by staff at the Academy as part of the JT Succeed program and that he had seen the social media work students at Woodridge High produced as part of the first visit to the school from the Academy.

“We are hoping that the Academy will be able to reach as many young Australians as possible to equip them with the tools needed to help them find meaningful employment,” JT said. “The idea of being courageous, having self -belief and being confident can be scary, I know.

“My message is don’t be scared of failing, be more scared of not giving it a go. I want to encourage as many youth as I can to keep turning up to school and to keep believing in themselves.

“And for those who may not have access to school, or who just don’t fit with the school system, there are other ways of getting the skills and qualifications you need to get a job. Don’t give up. Let us help you if we can.”

Rhiannon said she knew the messages being shared by the JT Succeed Program would resonate with students at the school and that was why the school became involved with the JT Academy.

“We know Johnathan Thurston is a major role model for the majority of our student population, and he has built such a great reputation for himself that we knew it would be a great program that our students would be excited to be a part of,” she said.

“We knew these messages were going to be well received by our students who follow Johnathan Thurston’s career, but I found that all students were able to take away valuable knowledge and insight that will be useful during their schooling years and beyond.

“Our ambition for involvement in JT Succeed was to help students to feel empowered and confident about employment, and leave with a sense of knowing that they really do have the potential to follow their dreams and that’s exactly what happened.”

If you would like more information on the JT Academy, visit the website or contact info@jtacademy.com.au

JTSucceed – Woodridge State High School

Big shout out to Woodridge State High School, who last month hosted the JT Academy at their school to run a few of our key JTSucceed employment workshops. The day was very successful. We had so much involvement from all students and we had a great time being at the school.

What was really highlighted on the visit was just how serious the staff at Woodridge State High School are about connecting their students with careers, and they’re doing a fantastic job out there in setting up future pathways for their students. Well done to an amazing team and incredibly talented students.

Our JT Succeed Program is an intensive employment program designed after industry consultation to give young people who want to work the edge they need to gain and maintain employment. The JT Succeed Program offers a wide range of subjects to participants an importantly includes a focus on building self-confidence.

Self-confidence is something that everybody of every age, in every area can use more of. We’ve got a big bag of tips and advice, including some useful activities that participants can use and put into play on a daily basis to increase and build their confidence.

We encourage a change of mind-set. We love to empower courage with our participants and give them the self-belief to put their hand up for future employment opportunities. We’re all about encouraging our participants to build their aspirations and achieve their goals.

Why the Johnathan Thurston Academy needs partners like CQFMS

The work being done by the Johnathan Thurston Academy to ensure youth have the chance to get on-the-job-training would simply not be possible without the support of our corporate partners such as CQField Mining Services (CQFMS).

CQFMS has been a strong and active supporter of JT Academy since it opened in early 2018, regularly posting job ads on the site and taking on trainees and apprentices.

“What we are trying to accomplish here would simply not be possible without the support of companies like CQ Field Mining Services,” Samantha Johnson, General Manager of the JT Academy, said.

“We have the ideas of what we want to achieve but we need active engagement in what we are doing – giving kids a chance by offering the education, training or work – if we are to be successful.

“We know that CQFMS is hoping their example will encourage others to get on board and partner with the JT Academy to make a meaningful difference to lives of our youth.”

CQFMS is a maintenance and construction contractor based in Central Queensland, specialising in Project, Field and Diesel Maintenance servicing the Australian and Pacific region mining and gas industries.

The company was established in 2006 and has a workforce of some 300 staff. Being privately owned, the company prides itself on “looking after its employees”.

“CQFMS values the importance of offering opportunities to those who are new to the industry, everyone needs to start somewhere and when surrounded by the right team it makes for positive results” Jason Holt, Director, said.

“We are a premium sponsor of the JT Academy and support many community events and associations throughout the year.”

Samantha said the Academy thanks CQFMS for their ongoing industry support and it’s vital to help the Academy realise its goals of helping youth into education and training.

“We have been lucky to have the support of a number of corporate partners including CQFMS,” Johnson said. “In keeping with the ethos and principles of the Academy, we only partner with employers of choice who have a proven track record of supporting their staff through the good times and the bad times.

“CQMS is one such company which prides itself on its engagement with its staff and the community and we are very proud to have them on board.”

If you are interested in partnering with the JT Academy, contact Samantha on info@jtacademy.com.au. If you are interested in finding out more about CQFMS, visit their website or email enquiries@cqfms.com.au