An $800,000 partnership between Jobs Victoria, the Victorian Chamber and YAY will co-deliver an internship program to deliver meaningful career opportunities that align with participants’ qualifications and skills.

YAY supports multicultural youth re-engage in their communities and find work and training programs.

This project aims to create at least 60 six-to-eight-week internship placements, for young multicultural people (aged 18-29) with prior or working qualifications that are experiencing barriers to employment. These can include:

• Public and social housing tenants
• People who are long-term unemployed
• People seeking asylum and refugees
• Newly arrived migrants from non-English speaking backgrounds.

The internships may result in ongoing employment and YAY will provide three months of post-internships support.

The program will harness the skills, networks and knowledge of VCCI and YAY to meet significant unmet workforce demand across the identified industries and address unemployment for qualified or skilled young people.

Young people suffered the largest drop in employment during 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with people aged 15-24 in work falling from 60 per cent to 50 per cent between March and May 2020 and the downward trajectory continuing in 2021.

With YAY’s experience supporting multicultural youth across different areas of need, including employment and training programs, combined with the Chamber’s networks and industry expertise, a safe and prosperous pathway will be created for each group.

Treasurer of Victoria and Minister for Economic Development and Industrial Relations Tim Pallas said: “Getting a foot in the door can be tough but once you’re on that ladder of opportunity, the world opens up to you.

“We’ve got to find ways to make those doors open for young people and show that the satisfaction they get from their first job will give them untapped opportunities into the future. This is great for young people and great for business.”

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Paul Guerra said: “The Victorian Chamber is delighted to continue our strong relationship with Youth Activating Youth to help cultivate long-term and meaningful career pathways and experience for multicultural youth.

“We are confident that there will be a strong appetite from our members to provide internships to these young people, especially in the current skills shortage climate.”

YAY Executive Director Ahmed Hassan said: “Underemployment and getting young people a foot in the door is a challenge. What we’ve done here is look at an innovative process and work together to solve some of those gaps.

“It’s about supporting their journey because at the end of the day they’ll need guidance, support, motivation and mentoring through the process to help them reach their potential, and that wraparound support is what we offer.”

The Victorian Chamber is aware that many members are experiencing staff and skills shortages and a number of them would be receptive to hosting an intern.

There will be mutual learning and development for employers and employees to reduce or diminish the factors that may impact successful job placement. Host employers will also benefit from increased inclusive work outcomes.

Potential host employers can express their interest via YAYplacements@victorianchamber.com.au.