Building futures and advocating for change
About TRACTION
Helping to spark young people’s potential since 2015
TRACTION for Young People is a Queensland-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable young people who are often experiencing disengagement to build confidence, resilience, and hope for their future.
We work with referral partners, such as schools and other government agencies, to reach young people aged 10–16 who need support.
In a workshop environment young people get ‘on the tool’s in our hands, group-based mentoring programs. . Working alongside our team of professional mentors, they complete practical projects, such as building their own bikes to keep.
At TRACTION, our approach is simple yet powerful.
After more than a decade working with schools and community groups across Queensland, we know that what happens in our mentor programs is transformative.
A young person suddenly sees what they’re capable of. This moment of 'spark’ doesn’t stop with one individual – it ripples outward, strengthening families, energising schools, and uplifting entire communities.
This momentum drives our team and organisation forward.
“When we as adults focus on what’s possible and create genuine, meaningful opportunities for young people, something powerful happens. Young people feel deeply connected, inspired, and supported. That’s when they truly thrive, which sparks innovation, positivity, and a ripple of change across their communities.”
— Annabel Prescott, TRACTION For Young People CEO.
Learn about what drives TRACTION and why our work with young people is so urgent.
Why we do what we do
Why we exist
School disengagement is a growing challenge affecting young people, families, and communities across Queensland and Australia.
When young people disconnect from learning between the ages of 10 and 16, the ripple effects are far-reaching. Young people, families experience strain and uncertainty, while communities shoulder broader social and economic costs.
Research shows that around 10–12% of Australian students become chronically disengaged in early secondary school, increasing to nearly 20% by Year 10. This small group represents a disproportionate share of future unemployment and welfare dependence.
TRACTION exists to change this trajectory — helping young people reconnect with learning, community, and opportunity, so they can thrive and shape positive futures for themselves and others.