From barriers to pathways: Tackling youth unemployment

Youth unemployment in Australia for those aged 15 to 24 is has increased to 10.1% – more than double the average national unemployment rate of 4.3%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Youth charity Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) NSW is working to address the issue through a range of employability programs aimed at young people facing barriers to work.

In 2025, the organisation supported 515 young people across New South Wales to develop job-ready skills, gain accredited training, and access part-time work opportunities and long-term career pathways.

One of these initiatives, Stepping Up, is a 12-month youth program designed to help school leavers aged 17 to 21 form real connections with employers, providing one-on-one career mentorship. This program is offered for free to vulnerable and disadvantaged youth thanks to the generosity of our supporters and donors. Sixty-six% of participants secured jobs, traineeships or transitioned into further education in 2025.

PCYC Stepping Up trainer Greg Churchill has dedicated more than 10 years to working on youth employability programs, generating positive outcomes for participants in need.

“When young people first join, they’re often unmotivated and don’t have much of an idea of what they want to do in life,” Greg said. “We identify their passions, equip them with real-world employability skills and match them with a career pathway. It’s so rewarding to witness how excited they get when they finally get accepted into a job. It’s life-changing for them.

“It means they feel valued in the workplace and for many participants their wage not only helps them contribute to society but support their family financially too. It makes me so proud to see young people find purpose and achieve things that years ago they could only dream of.”

PCYC NSW has a unique partnership with NSW Police, with youth engagement officers on site at PCYC clubs working directly with at-risk young people. The two organisations have collaborated for almost 90 years and continue to work together with a shared mission to reduce the youth unemployment rate, prevent youth crime and create stronger, safer communities.

Every $1 invested in PCYC NSW generates a $7.76 return to the state in economic, health and social benefits. The social return on investment calculation was completed by PCYC with the support of KPMG.

In line with the ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas, 54 of 64 PCYC clubs are in ‘low’ or ‘moderate’ socioeconomic areas, working towards positive outcomes in communities that need it most.

Participants such as 18-year-old Majok Lual found stable employment and financial security through Stepping Up, securing a role in the construction industry after years of uncertainty moving between casual jobs.

“I’m very thankful because Greg really went hard emailing different companies to find a job that’s very suitable for me and my future goals,” Majok said. “The program has taught me to be persistent with my goals and has given me more confidence in the workplace.

“The opportunities I got have changed the trajectory of my life; I’m now working towards becoming a construction manager and I probably wouldn’t be here without my involvement with PCYC.”

Another participant, Avehry Pesamino, says PCYC employability programs gave her a sense of belonging and a voice. The 18-year-old fell in love with cooking when she started helping cater events at her church, sparking a passion for hospitality and a dream to become a qualified chef.”I was shy and only talked when I was spoken to. PCYC helped me improve my confidence and gave me the interview skills needed to secure work experience, which turned into a chef apprenticeship,” Avehry said. “I’m now excited for my future after years of feeling lost.”

Greg says dozens of employers are on board to support the program, frequently requesting more participants for work in industries such as IT, construction, social care and defence.

“I have employers call me up and say, ‘If you can give me another five people like that young person you’ve sent me, I’ll put them on to work every day’,” Greg said.

“They’re outstanding these young people; they just need to be given a chance.”

“This commitment is reflected within PCYC itself, with 54.5% of employees being aged under 25. So, even our charity backs our words with action.”

PCYC NSW also runs Fit for Work, a 10-week program designed for young people aged under 18 who are disengaged from work or education. In partnership with NSW Police and industry leaders, participants are equipped with essential workplace and life skills, including certifications such as First Aid and White Card (a certification that allows individuals to carry out construction work). In 2025, 83% of the 96 participants successfully transitioned into work, school or education, re-engaging with their community.

The final program within the PCYC youth employability pillar is Job Ready, a four-day program designed to help students aged 14 to 18 secure their first part-time job. It offers support in résumé writing, interview skills, workplace safety and career counselling. The program ensures students are prepared for the workforce and have access to resources and guidance that may otherwise be unavailable to them.