We are all worried about young people’s futures as the nightly news outlines the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the industries where they find entry-level work. And yet, when we sent nine interns out to interview employers in growing industries in our region, everyone—both employers and interns—came out hopeful.

There is no doubt that the job market is tough, but this research shows that there are long-term opportunities for young people in regional areas and that many of our growing industries are experiencing skill shortages. Our largest industries need younger workers as they expand, and aging workforces retire. Young people in our regions could find advantages over their city counterparts by doing a stint of work here.

To make sure we can build both the jobs (demand) and pipeline of young workers (supply) in our growing regional industries, we need the right policy response in recovery. The future of a robust regional economy that provides food, energy, hospitality, and other products and services to all Victoria, depends on it.
​​Our research
We trained nine young interns aged 17 to 20 in our regional area (Loddon Campaspe) to:
  • interview 26 employers in our growing industries about entry-level work, and
  • survey 258 young people in, and post, secondary school about their interests. 

This report outlines what we found, in three sections:
  • 5 good news stories we need to hear
  • 5 things young people can do
  • 5 things we should do next (recommendations to government and other policy makers).
​Prepared by:
Jeanette Pope
Freelance Strategy Policy and Research
Ph: 0421 859 541
Email: [email protected]
October 2020

And production assistance by young professionals:
  • Benjamin Pope (Art work)
  • Emily Axford (editing)
​From research conducted by young interns:
  • Jordann Broad
  • Prince John Caburnay 
  • Whitney Eadon 
  • Mary Joy Estrella
  • Grace Hosking
  • Emma Linton
  • Mia Oberin
  • Julia Sandeman
  • Charlotte Verley
As part of "How Work works: Getting young people employment in our growing industries" 258 young people completed a survey about career pathways they were interested in. 

​In this video, we say thank you.
The good news
Our research found that there is entry-level work in our region, a great diversity of jobs in a wide range of industries and, despite COVID-19, many industries are growing. Employers need younger people to replace retiring workforces but they report skill shortages and recruitment challenges. Most are willing to train people on the job. Young people in the region could find opportunities that may be more competitive in the city.

Our research also found that young people’s interests align with the jobs on offer and they have a range of attributes (comfort with technology, contemporary ideas, enthusiasm and fitness, etc) that make them desirable candidates for employers.

What young people need
But young people do not know about the opportunities because they are not hearing about pathways in school, have little chance to meet employers, and are faced with a complex process to find work that is difficult to navigate if you don’t know how it operates. On top of that, there is an inaccurate view that a lack of skills is a young person’s primary problem.

Employers report that, apart from finishing school (which is a must these days; VCE or VCAL – it doesn’t matter), and getting a qualification if required, the fundamental building block for a successful career—and the first thing they look for on a CV—is experience. But employers don’t mind what that experience is. It could be work, but it could also be community involvements, organising events, participating in sport—anything that shows a young person that can commit to something.

Experience teaches young people how to work in a team and hones people, communication, and organisational skills. These are the main skills employers are seeking and they are learned by doing. COVID-19 has taken away a cohort of young people’s ability to get that experience through school placements, part-time work, community activity, and entry-level jobs post-school.

Our findings support the argument of the International Labour Organisation—that young people are specifically disadvantaged in tight labour markets because they:
  • have less work experience,
  • lack job seeking and career management skills, and
  • have fewer networks to draw on. 

What we should do next
These are all things we can fix.
Governments are now considering their “road maps to recovery” and the inclusion of simple actions could, not only help the region to create a pipeline of workers into growing industries, but ensure young people get the experience they need.

This report recommends five things we should do next:
  1. Commit to building a pipeline of younger workers into growing industries in recovery planning
  2. Fund a rural careers education model so young people can meet employers early in school
  3. Develop work experience and gap-year internships for young people affected by COVID-19
  4. Create a regional jobs information portal
  5. Ensure every young person leaves school with: a driver’s license, safety training, a Linked In profile, and basic financial literacy.
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Phone: 03 5491 1144
Email: [email protected]
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​​NCLLEN acknowledges the traditional custodians of this land: for many centuries they have met and cared for
​children and young people on the lands on which we now work.