In The Media
latest news from the skill engineer ltd
SoundSoul Festival Brings Music, Community, and Opportunity to Central Coast Youth
The SoundSoul music festival attracted close to 300 young people for a day of music, creativity, and community action. Held on Darkinjung land, this free event – coordinated by The Skill Engineer Ltd. and backed by a network of community partners – was designed to bring meaningful opportunities and activities to youth in one of the Central Coast’s most marginalised areas.
The festival, held at Blue Haven Community Centre Grounds, aimed to empower young people by providing a platform to showcase local talent in music, art, and production. From vibrant performances by local artists Harry Kirby, Turtle Custard, Ruby Archer, Spree, and Dire to interactive activities, DJ sets, and free food, SoundSoul created a lively atmosphere that celebrated creativity and connected the community in an inspiring way.
What set SoundSoul apart was that it was coordinated by youth, for youth, guided by experienced local music professionals. From the artists and bands to the coordination of the event, young people were involved in every aspect of the festival, making it a true celebration of youth talent and leadership. A youth stage management and sound crew, supported by professional guidance, event management supervision, and help from local volunteers, played a key role in the festival.
“We aimed to reach marginalised youth in isolated parts of the Central Coast, giving them a chance to participate in something meaningful,” said Mike McCarthy, Creative Director at The Skill Engineer Ltd. “With transport often a barrier, we wanted to create a space where they could connect, express themselves, and feel part of their community.”
The success of SoundSoul was made possible through the collaboration of community partners, including We Are Uniting, Central Coast Youth Services, Song Lab, Central Coast Council, The Y NSW Central Coast, The Epicentre and dedicated volunteers from Lovebites, The Y Street Gym and Slam Factory. Together, these organisations ensured the event’s success by reaching youth who often have limited access to such activities.
Funded by the NSW Government Youth Opportunities Program, SoundSoul showcased the strength of community partnerships in empowering and uplifting local youth. Beyond offering entertainment, the event became a vibrant hub where young people could develop new skills, create meaningful connections with peers, and connect with local youth services.
TSE's 2024 Vocational Education & Training Awards
The Skill Engineer Ltd. is excited to host the 2024 Vocational Education and Training (VET) Awards, where we will celebrate the achievements of our students and the support of our local community.
This event will highlight the hard work of those who have excelled during their work placements, as well as the employers who have played a crucial role in their training and development.
Special Guests and Highlights
We’re pleased to announce a special lineup for the evening. Matty-J from Gorokan High School will open the event with an Acknowledgement of Country.
We’re also looking forward to hearing from our Inspirational Speaker, Jacob Smeaton, who will share his experiences and insights.
The evening will be hosted by MCs Jayden Delbridge and Anannya Bandaru, with a performance by Kalen Hogan.
Recognising Excellence
The VET Awards are all about shining a spotlight on those who have demonstrated exceptional skills and commitment. We’ll be honouring the students who have gone above and beyond in their work placements and acknowledging the host employers who have been instrumental in providing valuable training opportunities.
Nominations have closed, and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday, 12th September 2024, at The Entertainment Grounds, West Gosford.
Join Us
We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our students and the contributions of our local employers. It’s going to be a special evening, and we hope you’ll join us in recognising the efforts of everyone involved.
Please note, this event is invite-only. For more information, please email info@theskillengineer.com.au.
If you’d like to watch the event live online, visit our Facebook event page on the evening: https://www.facebook.com/events/484699174119922.
Mobile recording studio gives local teens a creative outlet
The Skill Engineer Ltd.’s ‘Digi Van – Youth Voices’ project captured the remarkable stories of 24 young people from across the Central Coast, NSW Region. Using the Digi Van, a multimedia mobile unit equipped with broadcasting, podcasting, and sound mixing technology, the project traveled across the region to empower youth to create digital content that amplifies their voices and represents their community.
One of the participants, Neo, a talented young musician and aspiring filmmaker, shared their creative process. “I make music and love watching movies,” Neo explained. “The way I envision the relationship between movies and music is by listening to a song I really like. In the back of my head, I’ll gather a scene and build a story, characters, and a plot.” Reflecting on their connection to the Central Coast, Neo added, “I’ve seen lots of bad aspects of the Coast, and that brings out a very artistic side of me. It gets me emotional because I care. I care so much about the environment and the world we live in, and I want all the art I make to express that care. And hopefully, get other people to care about it as much as I do.”
Another participant, Christopher, a cosplay and prop maker, shared his passion for creating intricate costumes. “I’ve been a cosplay and prop maker for six years,” Christopher said. “I played video games as a kid and loved Majora’s Mask, especially the big guy with the giant elaborate mask. I looked into how I could make one, and for three years, I made elaborate paper masks, experimenting with different materials. Now, I’m into 3D printing and make 3D replicas. I love seeing people’s reactions to the masks I make and the costumes I put on. It’s my dream to work on mask projects and have my work recognised.”
Ashlee, another participant, started her own swimwear brand, Sandi Rose Designs, at the age of 15 and has since turned it into a successful business. Now 17, she shared, “I’ve always been passionate about swimwear and the beach. Starting my own business was challenging, especially being brave enough to post on social media despite the bullying I’ve experienced. My dream is to get my brand out there.”
These unique stories are just a few of the inspiring narratives captured in the ‘Youth Voices’ project. The stories are then broadcast on The Skill Engineer Ltd.’s YouTube channel and social media accounts. The Digi Van has been instrumental in improving inclusivity and access to community activities for young people. It was strategically positioned in isolated areas of the Central Coast, such as North Lakes, Lake Munmorah, and Lake Haven, where transport is limited and services are under-resourced.
By bringing the Digi Van to these locations, the project removed transportation barriers and provided direct access to digital broadcasting, skills development, and mentoring. The workshops, led by professional mentors, offered valuable training and support. Free resources, including equipment and catering, ensured that even the most marginalized young people could participate.
The ‘Digi Van – Youth Voices’ project has not only provided a platform for young people to share their stories but has also empowered them to explore their talents and passions in a supportive environment.
The Skill Engineer Ltd. hosted a celebration of the Youth Voices project where youth and project contributors were invited to celebrate the 20 unique stories. The event was hosted on 16 July 2024 and was a huge success.
This project is funded by the NSW Government’s Youth Opportunities program.
Have a look at our selected 20 best Youth Voices Stories produced for the Tell Your Story Competition.
https://www.youtube.com/@skilledcreative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6sWvqetZRg&list=PLET68eBfY1vBaPjqyf75YJPQpkXYt-RK3
OR visit our Digi Van Instagram acocunt: www.instagram.com/digivan.cc
Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Darkinjung, Pangerang and Yawuru peoples and pay respects to their elders past and present. We thank them for sharing their country, their culture and their language.We look to the future with hope as we walk side by side with our First Nations people in the spirit of reconciliation and truth telling.
Tuggerah, NSW
Ph: (02) 4304 3031
14/1 Bounty Close, Tuggerah NSW 2259
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Ph: (03) 5737 4257
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41 Blackman St, Broome WA 6725
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Written complaints may be sent to info@theskillengineer.com.au.