The Allan Labor Government is helping Victorian secondary school students get involved in their communities and develop leadership skills.

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman today announced the opening of applications for Future Ready 2025-2026 program grants, available for government secondary schools, not-for-profit organisations, Aboriginal entities and social enterprises to work with students across the state and help them get involved in their community.

Grants of between $24,000 and $56,000 over two years are available for a wide variety of activities such as mentoring and training, work placement and volunteering, and leadership and learning opportunities.

The program is designed to help students build confidence and skills, engage in practical learning that supports their pathway to higher education or employment and learn and develop in an inclusive and safe environment.

Funding can be used flexibly including to cover transport costs for students, such as those living in rural and regional areas, who would otherwise face barriers to taking part.

Previous participants in the program, formerly known as Advance, include Werrimull P-12 School where students took part in a culture trip to Adelaide, a Rubicon leadership camp and a trip to Grampians National Park. These programs enabled students to develop organisational and leadership skills as they helped to plan and lead the trips.

Kyabram P-12 College received a grant to provide year 10 to 12 students with the opportunity to commence a Certificate II in Active Volunteering and undertake training in First Aid and barista qualifications. The grant also enabled students to participate in industry immersion days such as agriculture, building and engineering.

Lyndale Secondary College was supported to develop their Literacy Club, where students lead and organise a range of activities such as Write a Book in a Day, an excursion to Readings to select books for the College library and planning for a college Literary and Arts magazine.

Activities funded with Future Ready 2025-2026 program grants will take place in the 2025 and 2026 school calendar years.

The Future Ready program is part of the work of the Labor Government to provide young Victorians with the support and opportunities they need to reach their potential.

Grant applications are open until 29 November 2024.

For more information about the Future Ready 2025-2026 program, or to apply visit vic.gov.au/future-ready-grants.