Youth Take Over (YTO)
Hands-on projects that connect learning, industry and future careers.
Work experience is vital.
A lack of work experience is the main reason young people are disadvantaged in labour markets. But it is hard for regional young people to get.
A review of global studies has shown work experience helps young people: do well at, and finish, school, experience less time un- or under-employed after school, and secure jobs with better salary and greater job satisfaction.
Youth Take Over (YTO) is a project-based work experience program for VCE Vocational Major students, designed to build employability skills through real-world learning. Small groups of up to 10 students work together on the equivalent of a one-week work experience, delivered flexibly over approximately six weeks. Students & industry decide on a challenge or meaningful high-quality hands-on project to work on while immersed in industry
Rather than a traditional block placement, YTO combines structured workplace learning with classroom-based activities. Students participate in a structured component that supports the development of work-related skills and provides opportunities to explore industries and build employer connections. Classroom activities are directly linked to the project and aligned with the key skills and knowledge required to meet VCE Vocational Major outcomes.
The program culminates in a final showcase event, where students present their project and learning outcomes. This event celebrates student achievement while providing employers with valuable insight into their business from a youth perspective.
Well-designed YTO projects benefit both students and industry. Young people gain confidence, practical skills and exposure to real workplace expectations, while employers have the opportunity to engage with emerging talent and build a pipeline to future workers.
Youth Take Over is an initiative of North Central LLEN in partnership with Campaspe Cohuna LLEN, Central Ranges LLEN and Goldfields LLEN.
The North Central LLEN has successfully facilitated over 10 Youth Take Over's in our local footprint, interacting with over 4 different industries. Please scroll below to read Case Studies from Boort and East Loddon.
Case Study - Youth Take Over Nutrien Ag in Boort
"Youth Take Over goes Ag"
For the Boort District School Vocational Major class, their Literacy studies have taken a turn away from the classroom and into a workplace.
Over term two, the students linked with Nutrien Ag to learn about jobs in the agricultural industry. Supported by the NCLLEN’s Youth Take Over team, the Year 11 & 12 students enjoyed an immersive experience in the world of ag services. Nutrien staff generously gave their time to work with small groups of students, sharing their personal career journeys and the nature of the work they do at Nutrien. Students went out and about with stock agents; Zak, Doug and Nick where they marked lambs and weighed sheep for market. Additionally, Mikaela and Tim, the agronomists, took students out to assess crops and identify weeds. Merchandise manager, Cam, explained the complex nature of the supply chain the logistics of moving products. Manager, Teagen gave her group of students an insight into the Nutrien corporation and an overview of branch management that is safe and customer focused.
This project was a partnership between Boort District School, NCLLEN and Nutrien Ag Solutions, Boort. It was led by VM teacher Tom Bleicher, Nutrien Manager Teagen Welsh and Jacinta Hosking & Susan Gould (NCLLEN).
Case Study - Youth Take Over Loddon Shire at East Loddon P-12
"Cool Careers in Council"
There are so many different jobs at Loddon Shire Council, from administration and corporate services through to things such as community wellbeing and outdoor roles like gardening, roads and general maintenance.
With this many roles, Loddon Shire Council are always looking for new ways to attract staff to sustain their workforce and therefore the services they offer to the community. They want young people to see the many employment opportunities at the council, and for young people to see themselves working there.
In Term 2, Year 11 and 12 VM students from East Loddon P/12 school worked as a team to design new materials to help recruit the future workforce of LSC. They spent time at the council, getting to know the different jobs, as well as the organisation and the people who live and work there. They created bios of some of these people and their pathways, showing what it’s like to work in their job and how they got there. Working with mentors, they then developed accessible and youth-friendly materials that will help promote these roles to future workers.
Through this Take Over, students completed the following Vocational Major curriculum:
Unit 1 Area of Study 1 – Literacy For Personal Use
Outcome 1 – Demonstrate understanding of how text types are constructed for different purposes, audiences and contexts through a range of written, digital, oral and visual responses.
Unit 1 Area of Study 2 – Understanding and creating digital texts
Outcome 2 – Apply understanding of the conventions of literacy and digital communication by responding to and creating a range of digital content, suitable for a community, workplace or vocational text.
