Youth
We’re working to transform the systems that impact young people so they can pursue lives they value.
Over recent decades, education has been seen as the main path to a sustainable livelihood.
However, shifts in the labour market threaten to leave young people behind. There is no longer such a direct link between education and satisfying, decent work.
Ensuring all young people have a future to aspire to is a responsibility shared among policymakers, employers, educators and the community. We need collaboration based on the best evidence and ideas.
The Youth Opportunity team makes the most of its position at the nexus of research, policy and practice. We work hand-in-glove with BSL’s youth transition team to pursue systemic change for young people experiencing disadvantage.
Our work spans the areas of education, employment, leaving care and custody, and homelessness and housing.
Current major initiatives relate to the National Youth Employment Body (NYEB) and the National Skills Trial .
Find all recent publications on Youth (2000-present)
Visit the BSL library for our prior research on Youth (pre 2000)
• Expand the availability of specialist employment assistance for young people.
Selected publications
This report examines the contexts and mechanisms which enable the implementation of a national youth employment ecosystem that connects young people to decent work while also meeting the workforce needs of employers and industry in local communities.
Read reportThe BSL's applied systemic change guide draws on extensive experience from research, policy and practice to provide the essential ideas, practices and tools to create deep and lasting change in human services.
Read reportDespite being the most common form of employment-based training, Australian apprenticeships are not living up to their promise.
Read paperIn Australia the COVID recession has compounded a decade of high youth unemployment that followed the global financial crisis, according to research for the Youth Unemployment Monitor December 2020.
Read reportThis paper identifies the range of current government-funded employment programs for which young people may be eligible.
Read reportWhat works to achieve effective employment services for young people? This report presents lessons from the evaluation of the Transition to Work Community of Practice
Read reportThis Stage 11 report of the Life Chances Study examines post-compulsory education and work experiences for young people in their mid-20s.
Read reportThe most comprehensive study of foyers shows that prioritising education for young people experiencing homelessness pays off.
Read reportHow can we support young people who have experienced a child protection or youth justice order to make a successful transition to adulthood?
Read reportHow valuable are small community service organisations to those who use them and those who work within them?
Read reportHow can Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector meet the needs of disadvantaged young students?
Read reportSelected projects
This applied research initiative will test a place-based approach to the interconnected challenges of rural workforce shortages, sustained youth unemployment and declining efficacy of existing agricultural training programs.
Learn moreThis study focuses on a BSL initiative to increase participation in mainstream employment for people with disability.
Learn moreThis research is part of a coherent, multi-sectoral response to youth unemployment.
Learn moreDeveloping a pathway for young people into aged care and disability support
Learn moreA research project evaluating three new Education First Youth Foyers in Victoria
Learn moreA research project providing new insights into enabling young people to pursue their employment goals, place based responses to youth unemployment, and collaborative ways of working
Learn moreA project giving young people the freedom to take photographs that represent their experiences of education or employment
Learn moreWhat are some keys to helping young people to gain planning and independent living skills?
Learn moreLooking for services related to youth?
Education First Youth Foyers are integrated learning and accommodation centres that develop the skills of young people at risk of homelessness.
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The Better Futures service is a new way of supporting young people who are making the transition from out-of-home care to independence.
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Our approach to working with people with disability focuses on building a sense of wellbeing and autonomy. We recognise the importance of family, friends, carers and community.
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Our David Scott School is a registered, independent school for disadvantaged young people. It opened its doors in early 2017 to Year 10, 11 and 12 students.
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Our Youth Transitions Support Pilot Program helps young refugees participate in the community through work, education and sport.
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Creating Futures for Youth empowers young people to pursue their career goals and build their capacity to work or undertake further learning.
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Are you looking for work or wanting to broaden your work experience? BSL can help place you in a traineeship.
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Looking for work but not sure where to start? Get in touch with our Jobs Victoria Advocates today.
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