Pathways Lead (Junior) | Junior Ipswich Campus

YMCA Brisbane; Ipswich City; Hybrid; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,900 per FY

Free YMCA gym membership

Employee Benefits Program

Discounts for YMCA OSHC services

Discounted banking and private health

Non-term time for school roles

Job summary

Y Schools Queensland Ipswich Campus is seeking a Pathways Lead (Junior) to guide Years 7–9 students toward employment pathways through informal vocational activities. The role forms part of a team delivering a whole-school approach to career development and student agency.

As Pathways Lead Junior you will collaborate with the Pathways Advisor, Head of Campus and staff, supporting wellbeing programs and creating engaging pathway classes aligned with the framework and VET opportunities.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or Career Development or equivalent.
• Significant experience with youth in VET and at-risk students.
• Ability to create industry-aligned programs with hands-on experiences.
• Current First Aid and CPR certificates.
• Willingness to obtain a Working with Children check and Blue Card.

Responsibilities

• Support and champion wellbeing programs.
• Create and deliver Pathway classes aligned with the Framework.
• Participate in professional development and reviews to grow practice.
• Collaborate across staff and sites.
• Build relationships with students to support wellbeing and interests.
• Ensure high-quality customer service to the community.

Skills

Youth Work

VET

Career Development

First Aid & CPR

Education

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or Career Development

First Aid & CPR certificate

Job description

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Y Schools Queensland Junior Ipswich Campus are recruiting a Pathways Lead (Junior) on a Permanent Full-Time basis to join our team based in Ipswich

As the Pathways Lead (Junior) with the Y Schools Queensland, you will be responsible for providing guidance to allow vulnerable young people between Years 7–9 to learn what their interests are in terms of employment pathways through informal vocational and education activities. The position is critical to the streamlined delivery of pathways to the Junior campuses. This role works closely with the Pathways Advisor and collaborates with the Head of Campus and school staff to embed a whole-school approach to career development and student agency.

What will my time look like?

• Support and champion the Y School Queensland’s Wellbeing Programs that provide the framework for operations
• Create, implement and deliver Pathway classes, aligned with Framework
• Participate in prescribed programs including Professional Development and Review, to develop you practice as a Pathways Lead Junior and expertise in VET, employability and career development
• Collaborate constructively and positively with all Y School Queensland’s staff, across all sites
• Build and maintain intentional relationships with students so that their strengths, passions, interests and wellbeing needs can be supported appropriately through the program
• Work together with all staff to provide the highest possible standard of customer service to the wider community

Am I a good match?

• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or Career Development or similar qualification; or significant demonstrated experience in Youth Work and VET and working toward the completion of the above certificate or similar
• Significant demonstrated recent experience in working with young people in a VET environment who are at risk
• Demonstrated ability in the creation of comprehensive industry-specific programs that provide participants with hands‑on experiences and opportunities to link with genuine employment opportunities
• Current First Aid and CPR certificate
• Currently possess, or be willing to obtain, a National Police Check and positive notice Blue Card in accordance with the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000
• Achievement of YMCA’s Safeguarding Children Training Certificate and complete annual refresher training.

What’s in it for you?

• Join a supportive, inclusive and passionate team in an organisation making a difference.
• We invest in multi-disciplinary teams and work well together to support the students and each other, while working differently and thinking beyond traditional methods.
• Increased non‑term time for our teaching team and more student free days in comparison to standard school environments.
• Reduced classroom contact hours compared to traditional schools and all meetings held in school hours.
• Non‑term time for all school roles!

Here’s what on offer

• Enjoy up to $15,900 per year to be salary packaged tax‑free for everyday living expenses and up to $2,650 per year for entertainment benefits, as part of a non‑for‑profit organisation
• Free YMCA gym membership which includes our fitness classes
• Employee Benefits Program
• Discounts for all Y OSHC Services and Day Care Facilities
• Discounted banking, loan rates and private health insurance

Y Schools Queensland has been recognised as one of The Educator’s 5‑Star Employers of Choice for 2026, recognising its commitment to a workplace where educators feel supported, valued and empowered. The award is based on anonymous employee feedback across culture, professional development, benefits, and diversity and inclusion, with only organisations achieving a satisfaction rating of 75% or higher receiving this distinction.

More about the role and Y Schools!

At Y Schools Queensland we have a vision where our young people leave school empowered to be independent, courageous and resilient to achieve lifelong wellbeing.

Our mission is that Y Schools Queensland is where hope meets possibility, where everyone is seen, heard, and belongs. Our agile and responsive approach to education gives students not just knowledge, it empowers students to overcome challenges and embrace life‑changing opportunities. At Y Schools Queensland, wellbeing is personal, pathways are unique, and every step leads toward a brighter future!

Central to realising this vision is our Thrive Model, a signature strength of our schools that guides everything we do. Embedded in connection, care and capability, it shapes our approach to wellbeing, learning and belonging.

We are an inclusive workplace and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply. We all belong at the Y!

At the Y, we are committed to empowering all children and young people to feel safe and be safe. As a Child Safe organisation, all of our candidates who don’t have an exemption, must have or obtain a working with children check.

Applicants are advised that it is an offence for a person disqualified or suspended from holding a blue card to commence or continue in regulated, child‑related employment.