Jonah spends his days studying to become a teacher at Adelaide University and inspiring Aboriginal secondary students as a mentor for South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA). But he’ll be the first to tell you that he’s experienced enormous personal growth in the past four years.

"If you met me in year 9, you would not think I'm the same person,” he says. "I was not as confident, not as loud - nothing like me now.”

The Craigmore High School graduate developed confidence and workplace readiness during his involvement in the South Australian Department for Education’s Aboriginal Pathways programs.

Jonah joined the South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) and Workabout programs in year 10. He flourished, joining the SAASTA specialist soccer academy and gaining work-ready skills and qualifications through  Workabout. By participating in the Workabout Aboriginal Career Exploration program (now Aboriginal Pathways to Success), Jonah completed a week of career immersion in education and early childhood – supporting his career pathways to teaching.

“I would 100% recommend any Aboriginal kids do this program,” Jonah says of Workabout. “It helps build character and get opportunities and more options in life.”

Both SAASTA and Workabout are Department for Education Aboriginal Pathways initiatives to support and empower Aboriginal secondary students to achieve educational success and successfully transition to further education, training, or employment.

SAASTA works with schools to provide a unique educational program to support secondary Aboriginal learners. Every SAASTA student is encouraged to aim high in the areas of attendance, participation, educational performance and behaviour. As role models for their schools, families and communities, students support each other to achieve these high expectations.

Managed by an all-Aboriginal leadership team, Workabout aims to increase retention and SACE achievement by engaging students in paid work or further training while still at school. Through equipping students with essential skills, confidence, and networks, Workabout empowers Aboriginal youth to confidently pursue meaningful employment and further study during and beyond their school years.

Jonah credits Workabout with enabling him to grow his confidence and gain qualifications, "With the program I’ve built my leadership skills and my social skills.”

Ciara Warman, who worked closely with Jonah in the Workabout program, says: "It has been incredibly rewarding to see Jonah's confidence grow throughout the programs he has attended with Workabout. His transformation is a testament to the power of our programs in supporting Aboriginal students to understand their own potential and to dream big to achieve goals for themselves."

Today, he’s studying at Adelaide University with the goal of becoming a teacher, driven by a passion to support Aboriginal young people to achieve their dreams.

To find more about the Department’s Aboriginal Pathways programs please visit Our Aboriginal Education Strategy initiatives and progress