Real Industry Job Interviews (RIJI) Program

“I think everybody should volunteer. However busy you are, I think there’s always a space for giving back to the community.”

Martin has dedicated much of his life to education and community service. Originally from Great Britain, he migrated to Australia in 1978 and pursued a career in teaching, eventually becoming a school principal and senior education officer with the Department of Education. Since retiring fully, Martin has continued his commitment to young people through volunteering, having been actively involved in BNLLEN’s Stories From My Life and RIJI programs for many years.

Martin first became involved with RIJI because he saw it as a meaningful way to give back. He believes volunteering is a fundamental part of life: “I think everybody should volunteer. However busy you are, I think there’s always a space for giving back to the community.” With decades of experience in education, mentoring, and leadership, Martin brings expertise, insight, and encouragement to students participating in the program.

RIJI provides secondary school students with hands-on experience in the workforce, helping them navigate the steps from education to employment. The program introduces young people to real-life processes such as writing applications, preparing resumes, and participating in interviews. Martin emphasises the importance of these experiences, noting that “even for those students who have a clear view of what they’d like to do, sometimes the steps towards that appear very daunting. And I think that this program gives them a bit of a taste into how to navigate those processes.”

Martin finds the interaction with students the most rewarding aspect of volunteering. He is inspired by their intelligence, determination, and eagerness to learn, observing how the program challenges them to step out of their comfort zones and develop professional skills. He also highlights the value of providing constructive guidance, helping students understand that feedback is an opportunity for growth rather than a critique. Feedback on resumes, interview answers, and professional presentation is all framed as a way to enhance their skills for the future.

While his involvement in Stories From My Life gives him insight into the personal journeys and key turning points in students’ lives, it is RIJI that allows him to see them actively practising and developing skills for work. Martin reflects on his own career journey and the impact of seizing opportunities: “There are key turning points in all of our lives, key crossroads that we come to. The choices that we make… set us on the path to future success.”

For Martin, volunteering through RIJI is both a way to give back and to stay connected to the next generation. He encourages others to get involved, describing the program as “an incredibly rewarding experience” that enables volunteers to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people as they take their first steps toward meaningful careers.

“Programs like RIJI help them practice, build confidence, and understand what employers are looking for, while also giving employers insight into young people’s perspectives.”

Skyla O’Shea is a Careers Counsellor at the Skills and Jobs Centre at Melbourne Polytechnic, where she has worked for the past two years. With a diverse professional background in education, Skyla began her career as a high school teacher in an outdoor education setting. Over the years, she has worked across TAFEs, RTOs, universities, and community education programs at neighbourhood houses. Following a career shift during COVID-19, Skyla retrained as a career counsellor, building on the guidance work she had previously undertaken in her roles. At the Skills and Jobs Centre, she provides free career services to all Victorians, supporting community members to explore training, employment, and career pathways.

Skyla became involved with BNLLEN’s Real Industry Job Interviews (RIJI) program because of her passion for supporting young people in their career development. She recognises the challenges students face when entering the workforce and values RIJI as an opportunity to provide practical experience in a supportive environment. “It can be really daunting for young people to go for an interview,” she explains. “Programs like RIJI help them practice, build confidence, and understand what employers are looking for, while also giving employers insight into young people’s perspectives.”

This year, Skyla led a series of Industry Partner sessions at Charles La Trobe College, where she enjoyed engaging with motivated students and observing the school’s collaborative approach. She facilitated interactive activities that helped students identify their skills, interests, and achievements and translate these into workplace-ready communication. “Many students are already doing important things; it’s about helping them recognise and present that effectively,” she says. A key moment for Skyla was witnessing a student confidently reframe their achievements across multiple sporting teams, learning to speak positively about their commitments and skills and translate this into their resume.

Skyla also volunteered at the Banyule RIJI event, expressing how she valued connecting with fellow volunteers, sharing insights and learning from their experiences. She highlights that RIJI provides a low-stakes, supportive environment where students can practise interviews and receive guidance, preparing them for real-world employment opportunities.

For Skyla, the most rewarding aspect of participating in RIJI is meeting inspiring young people who are motivated, responsible, and actively building their skills. Her involvement demonstrates how local community members can foster the development of young people’s future pathways.