17 Sep 2017

Finding a job ain’t easy. In fact, earlier this year, a report revealed that almost a third of young Australians are either unemployed or underemployed (which means they have a job but not enough work to live on). The report, which came from the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, was aptly named Generation Stalled.

So what’s being done for young people who are struggling to get themselves jobs? Who’s going to help us? Well, the government actually has a few different initiatives to help get you employed. And they’re defs worth checking out…

1. Youth Jobs PaTH

 Youth Jobs PaTH is designed to help young people get skilled up and then get employed. It works in three stages: prepare, trial and hire. Essentially, you do some employability skills training (prepare), then you undertake a voluntary internship (trial) and the idea is that you’ll be offered a job at the end (hire). During the trial you’ll get an extra $200 a fortnight on top of your income support payment.

It works by offering subsidies to employers who hire workers between 15 and 24 years old.

2. Job Jumpstart

Job Jumpstart is a website stacked full of useful information about getting a job. Whether you’re at school, uni, on a gap year, already working or looking for a job, you can guarantee that it’s got some info to help you take the next step forward. You might be looking for helpful info about how to nail that job interview, searching out job listings or seeking career advice–whatever it is, Job Jumpstart has the goods.

3. Encouraging Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment

Starting a business and becoming your own boss is a pipe dream for many of us, but as freelance work becomes more common, it’s becoming an increasingly realistic option. The government wants to facilitate this kind of entrepreneurship and self-employment so they’ve created a few different initiatives for it.

There’s the SelfStart Online Hub, which provides a guide for starting a business. There are also entrepreneurship facilitators, who are employed in low employment areas to help young people create their own jobs. And there are also two week workshops which teach you how to be your own boss. Hit dem links for more info on each initiative. 

4. Transition to Work

Transition to Work (TtW) builds your skills, confidence and readiness to help you get a job or further education. TtW is for 15–21 year olds  who have been out of work for more than sox months or averaging less than eight hours a week while working. TtW will help you get practical skills to get a job, connect with education or training, find and complete work experience placements, find job opportunities locally and connect with relevant community services.

5. BUSY At Work

BUSY At Work is a not-for-profit organisation providing apprenticeship, employment and community programs for all ages including young people. Based in Queensland, they’ve got a really solid track record when it comes to helping young people get into trades. Another cool thing about BUSY is their strong focus on providing equal opportunities to a whole range of different demographics. If you’re in QLD and interested in getting a trade or traineeship, hit up this link, and they’ll get back to you ASAP. If you think you qualify for Transition to Work or Youth Jobs PaTH and you’re in QLD, click this link instead!