News
6 April, 2025
Launching graduates into work
MORAYFIELD State High School is one of 35 high schools across Queensland helping Year 12 graduates into the work, study and/or training for a career after school through the state-wide Link and Launch Program.
Running since 2019, the state-funded program has Link and Launch officers based at participating schools, helping recent graduates navigate a range of post-school study, training, and work options in line with their individual goals, aspirations, skills, and strengths, supporting them to make independent choices that will equip them for a successful transition.
Link and Launch Coordinator at Morayfield State High School, Jake Toye, said he assists students from Morayfield and neighbouring high schools with addressing barriers post-school.
“Every day is different; sometimes it can be helping with their CV or cover letter, applying for jobs, marketing to Year 12 students for the next year, looking into courses, assisting in getting things like White Cards, Centrelink applications, or simply referring them to the appropriate organisation,” he said.
“It benefits the former students by addressing the gap in support once you leave school, particularly for the young people who are not engaged in education or employment. It benefits the community by helping these under-supported young people into work, study, or training. There is a wide range of apprenticeships, free courses, and other opportunities that employers or organisations cannot fill – so they connect with Link and Launch.”
“I believe many of these opportunities would go unnoticed without the link.”
Recent Year 12 graduate from Bribie Island, Tyler Woods, had help with his resume and cover letter and said he would encourage recent graduates to get involved with the program.
“The hardest part is deciding to reach out,” he said. “Once you take that step, everything else is pretty easy.”
Sara Benson, who lives near Bribie, reached out to Mr. Toye looking for help getting a Certificate III in business administration, with Link and Launch helping her find a course, complete the application process, and continue her study and training.
“They found me a course a couple of days after the first meet-up, and within a week I had the application, and after about a month the course confirmed my enrolment,” she said.
“They are just a great support. You can obviously do things by yourself, but if you ever need someone to help and go through the steps of finding apprenticeships, they are a really good helping hand getting out of Year 12.”
Other Moreton Bay high schools that host the Link and Launch Program include Clontarf Beach SHS and Bray Park SHS. While Somerset does not have a host school, neighbouring schools that offer the program include Kingaroy SHS and Lockyer District SHS.
For more information, eligibility, and a full list of participating schools, visit https://education.qld.gov.au/students/student-engagement/link-and-launch.
