Vision Australia’s LEAP (Learn, Engage, Act, Perform) leadership program is specifically designed for young people who are blind or have low vision aged between 14 and 18.
LEAP is an annual program designed to support participants to develop skills to help them set and achieve goals in areas such as leadership, education and workforce participation.
LEAP 2020 participants recently took part in an online session supported by LinkedIn.
Angus McAveny from LinkedIn spoke to the group about importance of having an online work profile and how it can help them to search for and secure a job.
They were later joined by Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton, who shared his own journey to becoming CEO. Ron spoke about the various techniques and strategies that he has learned during his career and continues to use today.
Vision Australia’s Vildana Praljak, Service Designer at Vision Australia, said the LinkedIn session provided participants with valuable insight around their career paths.
“As a teenager, there’s a whole world to figure out. It’s certainly a time when people are giving more thought to their career path and we want to make sure young people who are blind or have low vision have every chance to succeed,” Vildana said.
“Hearing from Ron about his career was a great opportunity for them to understand what it takes to be successful in a senior position, while Angus’ talk highlighted the changing nature when it comes to finding career opportunities and the importance of being ready to make the most of them,” she said.
PD: "LEAP 2020 participants, Angus from LinkedIn and several VA staff members all give a thumbs up in a zoom video call"
The group was also surprised by Angus, who also shared with them that LinkedIn has provided all LEAP 2020 participants with access to LinkedIn Learning. LinkedIn Learning is an online learning platform that will support the LEAP participants to develop leadership and employment skills.
Vision Australia thanks LinkedIn for this wonderful opportunity they have provided for our clients!
If you, or someone you know, would like to know more about the LEAP Program, please email [email protected]. Applications for the 2021 LEAP Program will be open in August.