Plan to stem street violence

MARTIAL arts expert Craig Glover has moved to forge an alliance between the PCYC, TAFE students and a recruitment agency in an ambitious attempt to solve the problem of late night violence among youths.

The PCYC would provide the venue, students who need work experience to complete community service and youth courses would provide the manpower and the city's youth would benefit by being given an alternative to roaming the streets.

Mr Glover said his employer, recruitment agency Sarina Russo Job Access could provide a point of contact through its vulnerable youth program for youths who met agency criteria.

"For the TAFE students the idea presents an ideal opportunity," Mr Glover said.

"They would be getting real experience, be able to assess different situations and get exposure to different case studies, while getting their hours up helping kids who really are in need."

Mr Glover, who works as a team leader with Sarina Russo, said his own life story had motivated him to try to turn an unpredictable gang of youths linked to a string of serious assaults away from further violence.

A self-confessed former street kid, Mr Glover said with the aid of a youth worker he was able to turn his life around.

He now throws open his backyard gym in Urangan to all comers to try to instil fitness and discipline through training.

"My message to any kid that comes in that has had trouble is that I used to be where you are now and that there is hope."

Wide Bay Community TAFE teacher Trina Luckett applauded the idea and said that it was an "unbelievable opportunity" for the students to move into a role where they would not "be just answering phones".

"We always struggle to get the students into programs being backed by community service organisations," Ms Luckett said.

"To be able to get hands-on experience with kids who are in need of guidance in a program that is backed by a body like the PCYC would be unreal."

The PCYC has backed the idea, with management committing to make the venue available on Friday and Saturday nights if role models were available to fill supervisory roles.

PCYC manager Sergeant Pat Fleming said the PCYC had a pivotal role to play in addressing the issue of youth violence.