Building the Future for Indigenous Youth in Australia

Faced with the structural inequalities affecting Indigenous youth in Australia, the fondation Veolia supports the "Future Forward Program." In collaboration with The King’s Trust Australia and Veolia Australia and New Zealand, this project combines intensive training and mentoring to break down barriers to employment and strengthen the economic autonomy of First Nations communities.

Expertise Dedicated to Youth Integration

A non-profit NGO specializing in the integration of vulnerable young people, The King’s Trust Australia plays a pivotal role in the cultural design of development programs. By leveraging a strong network of Indigenous leaders and local partners, the organization deploys solutions tailored to the country's social realities. Its expertise enables the creation of supportive pathways that build resilience, confidence, and autonomy among participants.

A Training Pathway Toward Apprenticeships

The Future Forward Program offers 5 weeks of professional training and career development. This intensive curriculum is designed to lead directly to apprenticeships or work-study contracts within partner companies, notably Veolia. Beyond technical skills, the project incorporates a systemic transformation dimension through "truth-telling" workshops (recognizing historical injustices) aimed at dismantling discriminatory biases and fostering national reconciliation.

A sustainable and culturally relevant integration

The program aligns with the government's "Closing the Gap" targets by reducing school and professional dropout rates and stimulating the economic participation of Indigenous communities. The impact also relies on a massive skills-based sponsorship: more than 250 Veolia employees are mobilized as mentors or trainers to individually support young people in their professional integration. This co-construction model between business experts and Indigenous trainers ensures sustainable and culturally relevant integration.