In a joint partnership with ANZ bank, DXC Technology and Vestone Capital, Ganbina has been given 30 refurbished laptops to be distributed to First Nations youth enrolled in Ganbina’s school-to-work transition program, Jobs4U2.
Local students Jet James and Missy Dooly were two of the lucky recipients presented with the refurbished laptops on Tuesday.
Ganbina chief executive Anthony Cavanagh said computers were essential for supporting studies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s been an increase in need for laptops in order for our kids to continue their education due to the online learning requirements of the pandemic,” he said.
“We are very grateful for this partnership, which will enable us to provide our support to more Ganbina teenagers.”
Allocation of the laptops is based on need, distributed to those requiring one to support or continue secondary or tertiary education.
The two local students selected said they were incredibly grateful for the support and that the donation would help alleviate the stress of both moving and starting studies.
Mr James, 18, has been accepted to study a Bachelor of Engineering and Applied Chemistry at RMIT in Melbourne’s central business district.
“Because my course in particular is very technologically heavy, I think it will benefit me a lot,” he said.
“I consider myself really lucky to be given this opportunity.”
Ms Dooly, 21, has recently made the move to Geelong in pursuit of enrolling in a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Primary Education at Deakin University.
With the course being mostly online, Miss Dooly said the laptop would help her hugely in the transition back to study.
“This opportunity doesn’t come up every day and I feel honoured to be chosen,” she said.
Ganbina has a long-term partnership with ANZ bank, which has an ongoing relationship with DXC Technology’s First Nations Community Technology Enablement Program.
This program aims to connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with technology in order to support educational opportunities and build community capacity for self-determination.
DXC Technology sources refurbished laptops from its business partners and customers, such as ANZ bank and Vestone Capital, which are then donated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
Any surplus laptops will remain at Ganbina’s head office, and will be used for its in-house tutoring program for First Nations primary school students in Grades 3 to 6.
