Impact Report 2024/25: The SkillSphere Story
For three Year 9 students at The Judd School, personal experience directly informed their decision to create SkillSphere, an app designed to connect young people with work experience and job opportunities.
The students were inspired by their own desire to find a job, earn money, and gain work experience to better prepare for the future, and the fact that many young people face the same challenges. “Picking our own idea gave us confidence and motivation”, said Stefan, “Originally we weren’t sure how to approach it, but because it felt radical and different, we worked even harder”. Masi agreed, explaining that the freedom to choose a problem and design a solution was both engaging and fulfilling: “I really love the fact that I could do something that I felt passionate about. I don’t think I’ve been this determined on a project before. This is definitely one of the more important projects I’ve done in my life.”
The social action angle of the project increased the team’s interest in learning computing and pursuing technology pathways, and their belief in their power to create change also grew:
Before, I thought computing would be very limited. Jobs like cybersecurity and I’d just have to sit and type code all day. This project has shown me there are many more jobs I can do with computing, and I can really help the world and make a difference.”
Masi, Team SkillSphere
I wasn't really that interested [in computing], but when I started on this project, it actually changed my view on computing. Maybe we can do something ourselves for the community and the world.”
Noah, Team SkillSphere
To consider that we are three 14 year olds and we're able to make something like this is actually really incredible.”
Stefan, Team SkillSphere