Marist Youth Care’s Skills Development Centres provide a range of pre-employment job specific training programs for at risk young people and link young job seekers with real and sustainable employment opportunities.Through the Affordable Housing for Life Program, Marist Youth Care (MYC) has developed considerable expertise in achieving sustainable employment outcomes for at risk young people.

To ensure that at risk young people receive the length and depth of pre-employment training required to reach a level that meets employer expectations, Marist Youth Care is establishing Skills Development Centres in areas of need thoughout Australia. The first two Skills Development Centres opened in Blacktown, Western Sydney (see link) and Brunswick, Melbourne during 2012 and have already made a large impact within their local communities.

Targeting local youth unemployment, Marist Youth Care’s SDCs provide training and employment pathways for disadvantaged young people with the aim of creating long term financial and social independence.

Our  trainees participate in a 3-5 week practical training program which includes a mix of technical, employment and life skills to prepare them for full-time employment. Marist Youth Care actively sources relevant employment opportunities for each young person, and provides ongoing post placement support to ensure each trainee has the best possible chance of long term success.

Partnerships with RTOs

Marist Youth Care has developed partnerships with RTOs who will provide national accredited vocational training qualifications to meet employment needs. Partners include:

• Australian Brick and Block Training Foundation
• Australian Catholic University
• Bridgeworks Employment and Training
• Central West Community College
• Marcellin Technical College
• Nail Tech
• National Training Solutions
• Youth Connections

Participant Benefits

• Basic First Aid
• Mentoring and workplace buddying
• Practical accredited Vocational Training (Certificate II and III)
• Pre-employment placement in open and sustainable employment
• Workplace Communications and Employer Expectations
• Workplace Safety and Induction
• Wrap around support services, eg assistance with accommodation, transport, counselling

Employer Benefits

Marist Youth Care has developed the partnerships required to place young people into employment. Connections have been established with Job Service Agencies and relationships engaged with national mainstream employers who will offer real jobs which are identified through MYC’s employer contracts before the young people commence training. Employers of our trainees benefit from the Skills Development Centre program due to:

• Free access to keen and motivated entry level young people who value an employment opportunity
• The ability to meet and watch potential employees involved in relevant work activities prior to selection
• Access to weekly training reports focusing on attitude, technical skills and attendance to assist in recruitment
• Free post-placement support for each young person and employer for a six month period
• Outsourcing of employment documentation and payroll to a registered Group Training Company if desired

Marist Youth Care welcomes agency referrals of young people with a positive attitude towards employment. We also encourage employers to contact us regarding specific employment requirements - for entry level employees - so that future training programs can be developed to meet these demands.

Skills Development Centre Employment Pathways      

Trainees from the Skills Development Centres have gained employment in wide range of organisations and partners including:

In the Media:

The Australian 14 December 2012

The Skills Development Centre staff are available for all training and employment enquiries: