Youth2Work Program

RDA Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island is a unique region which is not supported by a large industry. Most employment is in service industries, agriculture and tourism and are casual or part‐time and often seasonal in nature. As a result apprentice and trainee positions have been consistently difficult to realise. There is high youth unemployment across the region with a lack of full-time employment.

Recognising this, in 2014 RDA Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island and the Industry Leaders Group, with support from the South Australian Government Department of State and Industry, developed the Youth2Work project.

Since 2014, Youth2Work has supported more than 500 young people to gain basic skills and entry level qualifications they need to prepare them for future employment.

Youth2Work supported young job seekers aged 17–24 (and not enrolled in secondary education) by delivering a combination of accredited training, individual case management, structured mentoring and job placement support. Not only did the project support early school leaving job seekers with little to no job skills or experience, it supported businesses who employ young workers by identifying and providing the basic skills and training required. Youth2Work prepared youth to transition successfully from the school environment into work.

In 2017‐18 Youth2Work experienced unprecedented demand which resulted in 137 participants engaged into the project with 67 employment outcomes. The successful participants had completed accredited training in skillsets, RSA, Forklift, White card to gain employment or increase their hours of employment hours with multi-tasking.

The key to the success of Youth2Work has been the reliance on accredited training supported with one on one mentoring and case managing the participants. The accredited entry level training provided the employer with a productive base skill to build on.

The success of the Youth2Work was supported by the strong collaborative relationship with regional JobActives and Transition to Work programs, providing additional support to the most vulnerable cohort of youth, and with the local Community Centres and secondary schools highlighting the opportunities for youth as they transition from school.

For more information about the program contact RDA Adealaide Hills. Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island.