After a year of job searching, Jarrad was starting to become disheartened. 

"I applied for over 300 jobs and it wasn't going [too well] for me. By the time I came [to Ladder] I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere," he said.

"I applied for over 300 jobs and it wasn't going [too well] for me. By the time I came [to Ladder] I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere".

Jarrad is part of the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley program, that is designed to build young people's foundational skills and increase their capacity to engage in education, employment and training pathways. 

Ladder CEO, Stephanie De Campo said it is an important program that has been well received by local young people. 

"We'll be supporting young people, between the ages of 16 - 25, to get them ready for their careers.

"Youth unemployment rates are high in the Latrobe Valley, but there is also a lot of potential here. There are some wonderful young people who have been so forthcoming in getting involved."

As part of the program, Jarrad shadowed a photographer from a local business. He described this work experience as invaluable. 

"I got a lot more confidence, which will definitely help me in the long run,".

Image: Jarrad at the Program Graduation with (from left) Ladder CEO, Stephanie De Campo and Latrobe Valley Authority CEO, Karen Cain. 

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