Why building furniture builds better futures

Starting and running a business isn’t just about making a profit – it's about learning, problem solving, and gaining the confidence to navigate the world of work. For a group of young people who have been disenfranchised from mainstream education, a unique program is proving that skills, experience, and determination matter just as much as a qualification. 

The Centre Education Programme (Centre Ed) is a Flexible Learning School in the Logan City suburb of Kingston, Queensland, offering educational pathways for young people from years 7-12 that are personalised for each young person.  

Centre Ed runs a program, led by Andrew Tipping, teacher, in partnership with young people called ‘Furniture for Change’ which sees young people plan, launch, and operate their own small enterprise refurbishing old furniture and building flat pack items, such as coffee tables and bookcases.  ‘Young people voiced their concerns about finding employment opportunities at the end of their journey at school,’ said Andrew Tipping.  ‘The project became a perfect vehicle for coupling skill development with access to industry experts and jobs.’ 

Practical, transferable skills 

Through the program, students gain experience in everything from financial literacy and budgeting to customer service and negotiation. They handle marketing, supply chain logistics, and project management - valuable skills that can be applied across multiple industries. 

With industry leaders emphasising the importance of communication, critical thinking, and adaptability, ‘Furniture for Change’ bridges the gap between education and employment expectations by equipping students with hands-on business experience. 

Industry collaboration 

The program incorporates mentorship from industry professionals, encouraging students to see the real-world relevance of their skills. Since it started in 2020, it has helped approximately 40 young people successfully transition from school to work. 

One student shared their experience: “It has encouraged me to be more proactive with my decision-making and helped me understand how important it is to support the community. As a result of the course, I have been working at Kmart. I now feel more confident and better about myself.” 

A business opportunity  

The students’ skills and confidence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Word of their work reached a local CEO, who made an unexpected request. 

“He asked if the students could assemble all the desks and cabinets for his new offices,” said Tracie Pratt, Head of Campus at the Centre Education Programme. “I went back and forth on the idea for a few days, worried it might be exploitative. In the end, I decided to take it to the class and discuss it.  

“Rather than simply accepting the task, the young people treated it as a business opportunity. They wanted to do it and worked out what it would cost the CEO to have it built by professionals,” she said. 

They then developed their proposals and costs, set up a meeting with the CEO, and confidently presented their ideas. In return for the work, they asked for an all-expenses-paid trip to a theme park - and he agreed.  

A more inclusive workforce 

“By focusing on flexible learning pathways and hands-on experience, this initiative empowers students who might otherwise struggle to enter the workforce,” said Tracie. 

“Recognition of prior learning and micro-credentials validate their experiences, building confidence and sense of achievement while helping employers recognise their capabilities beyond traditional qualifications,” she added. 

Secrets to success 

“Mentorship and encouragement to inspire self-belief, collaboration between education and industry, and a focus on transferable skills have been the secrets to success,” said Tracie. 

“For these young people, every piece of furniture assembled or restored isn’t just about what they’ve built, it’s about who they’ve become in the process. 

“The project proves it’s time to rethink how we define employability, because skills, experience, and determination matter just as much as a qualification,” she added. 

Connect with Tracie Pratt and visit the Centre Education Programme here. 

The Centre Education Programme is part of Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexible Schools, the largest independent national provider of flexible schooling, catering to some of the country’s most vulnerable and marginalised young people. Learn more here.