Fit for work: Jobs Statewide program helping remove the barriers to youth unemployment
Adelaide-based national employment services provider Jobs Statewide is tackling youth unemployment by encouraging young jobseekers to get out of their comfort zones.
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A focus on fitness will hopefully reap rich rewards for young jobseekers like Sarah Maxwell.
The 21-year-old spent a week last month being put through her paces as part of Fit Revolution, an innovative program devised by Adelaide-based national employment services provider Jobs Statewide as part of its Youth Activate scheme.
Fit Revolution is a fitness and exercise-based program aimed at getting young people moving, eating well and boosting their motivation and self-esteem.
Ms Maxwell, who is looking for work before tackling her Masters in Archaeology and Heritage Management at Flinders University later this year, says the hands-on week-long course was beneficial for her personal growth.
The Adelaide resident says the program would offer a tremendous insight for anyone looking to get a foot into the fitness industry.
“We learnt a lot,” she says. “It would definitely be a gateway towards a career. It’s a great step forward – especially if you’re looking to get out of your comfort zone and try something new.”
The Fit Revolution program, which started in Adelaide and is now being expanded interstate, is one of a number of initiatives as part of Jobs Statewide’s Youth Activate project, which is designed to help remove some of the barriers stopping people aged from 15 to 24 years from securing employment.
Jobs Statewide managing director Wendy-Jayne Williams says young South Australians are over-represented in unemployment figures. There are currently about 11,330 jobseekers registered with Workforce Australia seeking employment – 23 per cent are aged under 25.
“Jobs Statewide has identified several barriers to employment for many young people which include self-confidence and self-esteem, and often a fear of engaging with potential employers,” Ms Williams says. “The longer young people aren’t in work, the more the issues tend to compound and their barriers to employment become entrenched.”
Other programs under Jobs Statewide’s Youth Activate umbrella involve a look at the racing industry – through a Racing Careers Exploration Day – and regular “industry tours and tasters”, which allows young jobseekers the chance to get closer to employers and better understand the range of jobs and careers on offer in key industries.
“Young people need to know that you are investing in them, and they will give back in return,” Ms Williams says.
“Jobs Statewide has developed innovative programs designed to build the self-confidence, wellbeing, and employability of young jobseekers.
“Our programs are having significant success by helping jobseekers to be job-ready, while building relationships with employers and opening new opportunities for young job-seekers.”
Jobs Statewide – which has offices in three states – this year sponsors the Leader of the Year award in The Advertiser Sunday Mail SkyCity Woman of the Year awards.
Originally published as Fit for work: Jobs Statewide program helping remove the barriers to youth unemployment
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