The reports show that it’s the most challenging time for young people to join the workforce in over two decades. Now more than ever before, they need hope, support and opportunities. With your help, we can make a difference.

How you can help

We are always seeking support from others who share our vision of creating positive futures for young people facing barriers to employment. We welcome organisations, philanthropic foundations and passionate individuals to support us by contributing to our transformational programs and events.


Why get involved?

1. Most of Melbourne’s disadvantaged areas are in the Western Suburbs, including Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley. Young people that are living in the lowest socioeconomic areas are twice as likely to be considered NEET (not in employment, education or training) compared with those in the highest socioeconomic areas.²

2. Having so many young people out of the workforce costs our economy $15.9 billion in lost GDP each year.³

3. Reports before the COVID-19 pandemic showed that of those jobs advertised online, on average 0.5% were entry-level roles where no experience was required.⁴ This demonstrates the dire need to provide our young people with real world work-experience opportunities to boost their employability and begin their career journey.

 
The work placement gave me valuable skills and experience as it was my first time in a workplace. It gives you a head start from other graduates who are just finishing degrees, and industry experience puts you ahead of the class.
— Hamzah, young person

70% of young people move into employment whilst in or once they have completed the YMCP program.

To learn more about the impact of the YMCP program, explore the YMCP Evaluation.

The Sustainable Development Goals 

As outlined in our 2020 – 2023 Strategic Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are most relevant to our purpose are:

Inclusion is a key principle of SDG 4, which calls on countries to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

SDG 8 is focussed on economic growth and calls for long term, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

SDG 10 is focussed on reducing inequality within and among countries.

SDG 11 focusses us on ensuring cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. 


How to get involved

Whether through direct sponsorship, workplace giving or corporate fundraising, we’d love to hear about your strategic goals and ways in which we can work together. Let’s get started!


Sources:
(1) Ziffer & Clayton, ‘One in three young Australians is unemployed or needs more hours, and the trend could last a decade’ABC news, 7 Dec 2020.
(2) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2021 ‘Engagement in education or employment’, 25 June 2021.
(3) Probono Australia, 2018, ‘Full-Time Work No Longer A Reality for Young Australians’ 14 June 2018.
(4) Hennessy A, 2017, ‘Why finding a job in Sydney can be such hard work’, The Daily Telegraph, 9 June 2017.