BackTrack – Community Solutions to Community Issues

Mission:  To offer young people who have lost their way an opportunity to reconnect with their education and training, to become work ready, find jobs, lead happy and productive lives and participate fully in the community.

Programs

BackTrack has four distinct programs with a cross flow of participants.

1. Iron Man Welders – a fully equipped welding shed with a trained supervisor.

2. Paws Up – a dog jumping team that trains border collies, wins most of the top places at agricultural shows across the state and puts on demonstrations for community events.

3. AgLads – young people work on three local training farms to acquire accredited skills in fencing, stock handling, heavy machinery and other skills. Several now participate in BackTrack contracting teams on farms in the district and have acquired Certificate III in Agriculture from Tocal College.

4. Imagine This – run in conjunction with Armidale High School creates opportunities to experience training in hospitality, barista and learning new skills in an art based program.

A Message from the Founder – Bernie Shakeshaft

“In over 25 years of youth work, my unrelenting desire has been to educate the community that those young people they consider most marginalised or difficult have skills and aspirations and want a sense of belonging just like us all.

Since 2006, BackTrack has been delivering life changing outcomes for young people. BackTrack pushes the boundaries of how to work along side young people in this generation and redefines what is possible for them to achieve using a unique process of engagement and connection.

When you change the life outcomes for these youth you improve the overall quality of community life.”

BackTrack Youthworks, a not for profit organisation, is based in Armidale NSW and operates within Jobs Australia. BackTrack currently runs four programs: Iron Man Welders, Paws Up, AgLads and Imagine This.

BackTrack acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which BackTrack is situated and we pay respect to their elders past and present.