When young people disengage, it doesn’t just affect schools - it affects all of society, socially and economically. We’re tackling this crisis head-on with a bold new chapter.

High school is a turning point. It can lay the groundwork for confident, engaged young people, or it can quietly mark the start of withdrawal. Data tells us too many are struggling, and that prevention works best when it happens early. Getting the transition right is one of the smartest investments we can make for young people and our communities.

Built in Term 4: 2025

Across IGNITE and BUILD, Term 4 demonstrated what’s possible when young people are given structured opportunities to experience success, strengthen relationships and build practical skills. Feedback from young people, families and schools highlights measurable shifts in confidence, communication, participation and attendance - indicators that matter deeply at this stage of the school journey. 

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new-look website - an exciting milestone that brings together months of brand development, content strategy and design work, as we step confidently into our next chapter.

For years, one damaging myth has shaped how we talk about young people who leave school before Year 12: that they lack ambition, commitment, or the drive to succeed. It’s a myth reinforced in many staffrooms, living rooms and across Australia.

Discover more about TRACTION by watching our new video.

Coined by Junior Finau and introduced to TRACTION through Michael, Real Models gave a name to the mentoring style of our team - mentors who lead through honesty and vulnerability, not perfection. Discover the story behind Real Models.

“I didn't back myself. TRACTION helped me build confidence and think differently about my potential.”

When Sandy, TRACTION’s founder, sat down with alumni Will Johanessen, it didn’t take long for the conversation to drift back to the workshop where it all began.

‘TRACTION4DEADLYPEOPLE’ created for TRACTION represents community, strength and story as well as paying respect to and acknowledging Country and the people within it.

This artwork was created by Ambrose Killian | Amiwarre and gifted to TRACTION. We are so fortunate to have Ambrose on board as a Real Model Mentor in our programs.

We’re grateful to Grant Thornton’s The Remarkables Podcast for hosting our Founder, Sandy Murdoch, in a powerful conversation about the importance of early intervention and prevention for young people.

Tune in.

Built this term: T3,2025

This term we were grateful to learn how much our participants valued and benefited from the unique way TRACTION creates safe, welcoming environments where young people can engage, learn, and build meaningful connections.

We’re disappointed, yet not surprised, to learn that Australia is losing over $20 billion a year because this country continues to delay critical support for children and young people's early developmental, education and health needs.

We firmly believe that early intervention is foundational - both for children and young people’s long-term outcomes and for societal sustainability.

Sean joins as Project Lead for our Toowoomba Region. With 15 years’ experience in youth development, outdoor education, and community programs, he brings both local knowledge and expertise. His background in experiential learning gives him a deep appreciation for the power of practical engagement - perfectly aligned with TRACTION’s approach.

Showcasing Impact - The skills and confidence built this term.

At the end of each term, we have the privilege to talk to parents/guardians of some of our participants about the outcomes they experience in their child after the completion of a TRACTION program. This term we spoke with 21 parents/guardians and 95% agreed that their child had increased confidence, felt more positive about themselves and had discovered strengths.

For young people who’ve already experienced the hands-on impact of a TRACTION Build program, TRACTION Connect offers the next step - a bridge between the workshop and the workplace. Designed for students in Year 10 and above, this one-day showcase excursion opens the door to real-world experiences with partnering organisations like Kennards Hire.

Jack has been involved with TRACTION since Term 1 of 2024, though the school itself has been engaged for at least three years. Jack’s conviction in the value of TRACTION is unwavering.

“I’ve seen kids come alive at TRACTION,” he says. “Some who won’t make a peep in class are suddenly chatty and confident here. I’ve seen students let their guard down - that’s huge.”

Last Friday, Brisbane came alive with bold ideas and inspiring voices as StellarX 2025 brought together leaders, changemakers, and curious minds ready to challenge the status quo. Among them was TRACTION’s very own founder, Sandy Murdoch, who took to the stage to share his powerful talk: “Building a Life Built on Purpose.”

Thanks to the incredible dedication and generosity of our riders, sponsors, support crew, and donors, the final BEYOND 2025 fundraising total is confirmed - an amazing $885,948 raised to support young people through TRACTION programs!

We are thrilled to announce that TRACTION has been awarded a grant through the Youth Empowerment Program to expand our evidenced-based programs in Ipswich and Toowoomba. This commitment from the Albanese Government allows us to address the growing concern of thousands of young people disengaging from education, and disengaging earlier.

Building upon 10 years of experience working alongside young people, in late 2024, the Board of TRACTION for Young People Ltd ("TRACTION") commissioned an independent impact evaluation to validate and reinforce a critical message — prevention is not just a moral imperative; it is a fiscally responsible investment.

This study, conducted by Torch Advisory Group, provides a robust, evidence-based assessment of TRACTION’s impact, demonstrating the tangible economic, health, and educational benefits of our work.