What is DISCO?
The Downs Industry Schools Co-Op (‘DISCO’) is a specialist not-for-profit youth-services agency operating across South West Queensland with two offices (including head office) based in Toowoomba, an office in Dalby and an office in Gatton.
Founded in 1997, the organisation is focussed on providing a range of support services, programs, counselling and career guidance to regional young people aged 15-24 to assist their transition from school into further education, training or employment.
The organisation’s goal is to assist youth from both within and outside of the educational system to develop the required education and employment skills that will lead to an enriched and fulfilling life. The assistance DISCO provides is currently supported by funding from all levels of Government.
DISCO currently employs a number of staff, has 14 board members and 25 volunteers to work with approximately 3,500 young people annually.
DISCO is governed by a Management Committee and supported by ordinary members made up of industry, educational and youth representatives. Our programs are monitored to ensure both education and industry work closely together to maximise the objective of giving each young person the best chance to make a smooth transition from secondary school into employment or further study.
MaRYS
('Migrant & Refugee Youth Support’)
('Migrant & Refugee Youth Support’)
MaRYS
aims to provide young people aged 15-24 years who stem from a migrant
and refugee background
with nationally recognised training, combined with integrated learning
support measures and foundation skills, that will enable them to
successfully transition to employment and/or further education and
training.
Objective:
MaRYS
assists young people generally
not born in Australia, to transition into the workforce successfully by
providing them with training, practical skills, work experience and on
job mentoring support to get their career underway. The support provided
can include:
• Nationally recognised foundation
skills training to gain qualifications up to Certificate III-level
• Integrated learner support including
career advice, job preparation skills and case management
• Language and integration support
where our team members working alongside our client one-on-one to achieve their goals
• Work experience is also offered to
clients to ‘road test’ employment opportunities
MaRYS provides tailored support that
must complement the approach of training to develop core skills and competencies.
Target Groups:
MaRYS
primarily targets young Queensland
residents aged 15-24 years who either: are not born in Australia or
were born to a migrant or refugee family in Australia. Priority will
be given to young people who have already left school or are at risk of
disengaging from school.
