1. Daniela Ascone General Manager – Program Development & Operations

2. Youth Connect provides youth transition support for:  Young People (13-25 years)  Parents & Families  Business and Industry  Schools, other education providers and the community

3. In 2010, 2486 young people participated in our programs. Our Programs include:  ‘Work This Way’ – Youth Employment Program 16-24 year olds  Refugee Minor Employment Program  Career Connect – Job Search Group for Young people  Youth Connections (Inner East & Inner North of Melbourne)  Workplace Learning Coordinators  Careers Counselling  Right Step - A diversionary program for young offenders  Vet in Schools programs  Industry Tours to industry and training organisations  Mock interview programs with volunteers i.e. employers  Workshops and Forums i.e. guest speakers from industry  Adolescent & Family Counselling  Employer Program – Bridging the Gap: An Employer’s Workshop on Engaging with the New Generations at Work  PACTS/TACTS

4. Influenced by peers, family, school, community, culture and the media. Is not a linear process or definitive destination. Youth Engagement Spectrum  Disengaged –feel alienated or disconnected, unvalued or unable to contribute in a meaningful way.  Engaged with Risk – feel connected but their relationships/activities they engage in put them at risk.  Under-Engaged –are concerned about issues and want to be engaged but face barriers.  Engaged – are aware of issues, want to make a difference and are connected with service providers.  Highly Engaged – have a heightened understanding of issues around them and strong desire/capacity to actively participate.  Over- Engaged – undertake a high level of commitment

5. Involvement: Knowledge; To be part of something; Getting involved; Doing stuff; Being absorbed in something; Involvement; Rights; To participate in any upcoming opportunity; To be a part of what’s going on; Active; Participation; Being involved in the community. Emotions: Excited; Pride; Passionate; Enthusiasm; Challenged; Busy; Accomplishment; Satisfaction; Informative; Advocate; Enjoyable; Good; Contentment; Satisfaction; Funny; Life is enjoyable; To be happy. Communication: Listened to, Voice and beliefs, Talking, Ideas, Opinions Social: Connected to others, Valued, Knowing that there is something to do, Non isolation. Interest: Being interested, Concentration, Attentive, Listening to speaker

6. ? Education & Training ? Employability Skills ? Physical & Mental Wellbeing ? Confidence & Motivation ? Strong support ? Secure housing

7.  Breakdown of social networks  Mental health issues (often undiagnosed)  Early disengagement from education  Low levels of literacy and numeracy  Homelessness or risk of homelessness  Poor living skills  Substance misuse

8. A young person having to tell their story repeatedly. Lack of a supportive and stable family environment. Competing against other young people who are more qualified. An inability to navigate the complex system of service delivery. Providers lack of knowledge about the full range of service offerings available.

9. Barriers cannot all be dealt with at once: Addressed prior to entering workforce/education During case management After the young person commences employment/training PRIOR Form partnerships with local community- based service providers to ensure that supports and expertise are available and accessible. Provide services in-house and integrate them into the program

10. Use screening tools to identify a barrier. -questionnaire/referral to a trained professional ‘Look for clues’ during informal screening. Work with individuals to identify strengths. Role Models - use people who have overcome barriers. Identify or create employment opportunities in which young people with barriers can succeed. Share concerns with young person and offer solutions.

11. Barriers that must be resolved before job search, such as mental illness and substance abuse Barriers that can be resolved while in pre-employment training or job search such as securing a mailing address, presentation, or rehearsing how to discuss criminal background information. Barriers that may be resolved after the employment begins such as additional training and education.

12. Timely. Targeted. Tailored approach for each young person. Service providers work together to ensure that a young person is connected to, and provided with, the core services they require. Get young people ACTIVE...How?  Establish a youth friendly job search group  Industry Tours (to business and training facilities)  Work experience  Mock Interviews  Employability skills training workshops

13. Client centric approach Collaboration with other service providers Partnerships with business and community Innovative ways of addressing barriers Support the young person to work towards achieving their education and career goals

14. Youth Connections Providers Job Services Australia Partnership Brokers/LLENs Local businesses Database of role models/volunteers/mentors Apprenticeship Centres State level youth employment programs

15. Ensure young people have access to education and career related resources which include: Youth friendly websites i.e. myfuture.com.au Job search websites Workplace advocacy organisations Employee/Employer rights and responsibilities.

16. What do we need to do to Engage the Disengaged?

17. For more details Phone – 03 9557 6233 Email - d.ascone@youthconnect.com.au Web - www.youthconnect.com.au