Addressing Youth Disengagement Through Purposeful Work
Many young Australians are struggling with limited opportunities, unstable work prospects, and a lack of meaningful entry‑points into careers. Recent data shows that youth unemployment (for people aged roughly 15–24) remains well above the general rate, frequently twice the national average.
At the same time, some young people are not engaged in either education or work, a state often described as “NEET”, which research links to social disadvantage, reduced future prospects and long‑term disengagement.
For many, casual or entry‑level roles can feel uninspiring, unstable or disconnected from any sense of purpose.
Youngster.co offers a different path, one grounded in youth’s natural strengths, social value, and real-world impact.
Our Youth Engagement Program taps into something nearly all young people are already comfortable with: technology. Instead of forcing young people into unfamiliar roles, we connect them to tasks they know well, helping older adults learn to use their devices, apps and online tools.
Through this work, young people gain practical experience, transferable workplace skills, and most importantly, a sense that their time and abilities are valued. By drawing on what they already know and care about, Youngster.co helps overcome disengagement and builds the confidence and motivation many young people struggle to find.
The intergenerational, community‑oriented nature of the work gives meaning beyond just “a job”, participants feel they are contributing to their communities and helping bridge generational divides. Because the work is purposeful, familiar and socially valuable, it becomes easier to engage and retain youth who may otherwise drift or struggle to find footing in insecure employment markets.
Proven Outcomes
Our program delivers measurable results on a large scale:
- 2,700+ participants nationwide have taken part in Youngster.co.
- 88% of participants report feeling very or completely confident in providing quality customer service after the program (up from 40% before).
- 70% say the experience directly helped their job search.
- 21% of participants who were seeking work secured a new job after participating
These statistics demonstrate significant growth in soft skills and real employment outcomes for young people.
Structured 10-Session Program & Career Certifications
The 10-session program is designed to build job-readiness through both practical experience and structured learning. Participants are paid for their service, ensuring engagement and that they are compensated for their time and effort.
Additionally, they gain valuable certifications, such as Google Career Certificates, to boost their qualifications in areas like IT support and project management. Over 70% of Google Career Certificate graduates report a new job, raise, or promotion within six months of completing the certification. This adds another layer of value to the Youngster.co program, positioning participants for success in the workforce.
Partnerships & Accreditation
Youngster.co is backed by respected organisations and certifications, ensuring quality and credibility:
- Social Traders Certified as a registered social enterprise committed to community impact.
- We’ve worked or partnered with, Google, Uber, The Snow Foundation, Stockland, ISPT, HomeCo and various local councils to deliver ongoing sessions across Australia.
- We collaborate with Mission Australia, The Benevolent Society and many other impact aligned organisations to extend our reach and support.
This strong network of support underscores the program’s quality and credibility.
Benefits for Job Providers
Youngster.co works directly with job providers, including Transition to Work, Workforce Australia, DES, NDIS, and other youth employment services, to help young people develop the skills they need for sustainable employment:
- Graduates show measurable gains in confidence and skills. 70% of the young people said that participating in Youngster.co was helpful in securing a job elsewhere. Read the Report here.
- Participants quickly master workplace skills like communication, teamwork, empathy and professionalism through engaging, practical tasks.
- Meaningful service work keeps young people motivated and invested in learning.
- Helping seniors gives participants a strong sense of purpose and appreciation. This creates a ‘appreciated’ and ’employed’ mental state for the youngster.
- Youngster.co complements existing employment and youth programs seamlessly and with minimal effort.
Get Involved. Partner with us
If you support young job-seekers — through Transition to Work, Workforce Australia, DES, NDIS or other programs — Youngster.co can strengthen your impact.
Join the growing number of providers empowering youth with our program. Get started today by contacting the Youngster.co team to discuss how our pre-employment program can help the young people you work with.
