Young people still job-hunting in WA

In the past year, Australia saw rates of unemployed and underemployed 16-24 year- olds rise to its highest numbers for 40 years.

Funding changes and economic turbulence have caused uncertainty in the job market landscape, and an increasing number of Australia’s young people grow unconvinced of their employment options for the future. Fewer students are engaging in programs and schemes that increase their employability and enhance their skillsets.

But what’s causing the disengagement? And what’s the solution?

Put simply, it’s a multifaceted problem.

From a social perspective, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds of low-income families, mental health issues, criminal histories or poor housing are much less likely to engage in meaningful engagement opportunities. This is particular prevalent amongst indigenous communities.

Also contributing to disengagement is the rise of technology and web-based interaction.  A young person’s employability rests heavily on the strength of their social and communication skillsets, both of which are strongly impeded by the anonymous, limited and artificial nature of online interaction.

These issues unsupported by the current instability in the labour market and the number of opportunities available. More and more young people are surrendering to part-time or casual work, offering very limited job security and financial stability.

It’s a critical time for talking about how and why disengagement has become so widespread. Not only are young people’s employment prospects affected by youth disengagement, but it’s a social issue that concerns communities, families, schools and society as a whole.

Now is the time for conversation about how we ensure young people are put on the path to meaningful professional careers. What are the gaps, where are they prevalent, and how do we close them?

To discuss WA’s leading strategies for this, Akolade is taking The 4^th Future of Youth Employment Forum to Western Australia.

This event is bringing WA’s most influential thought-leaders together to share best practices for re-engagement, successful collaboration, and effective transition pathways into employment for Australia’s young people. This is your opportunity to hear insights and case studies from the Federal and State Government, as well as WA’s biggest education providers, NFPs and industry leaders.

Join us to hear from:

Kellie Hippit, Branch Manager Youth Employment, Department of Employment

Gail Manton, Program Manager, School Pathways Program, Department of Education WA

Professor Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Western Australia

Ross Kyrwood, CEO, YMCA WA

Darshi Ganeson-Oats, Director Strategic Partnerships, South Metropolitan TAFE                    

Deborah Hancock, CEO, Scitech

Peter Nikoletatos, National Industry Lead in Education, Optus

We hope to see you there!

Written by: Beth Hampton

Beth came to Australia in late 2016. Having spent some time travelling through Southeast Asia and briefly living in Singapore – she was ready to embrace the lifestyle of a working Sydneysider!

Beth grew up in London, and completed her degree in Psychology at the University of York. She always dreamed of landing a job in the police, but figured it was worth swapping the handcuffs and late shifts for an exciting new city and a job full of fun and opportunity in a fantastic company like Akolade!

Beth loves cooking, playing the piano, terrible British soap operas, an ice-cold G&T and exploring new places.