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With 89% Job Retention, Strive for Success Shows a New Way to Solve Youth Unemployment in the Illawarra

Community Resources Limited

The Strive for Success Youth Job Skills Training and Employment Program is achieving strong results in the Illawarra — supporting young people disconnected from education, training or work to re-engage, build skills and confidence, and take meaningful steps toward long-term employment.

With youth unemployment at 8.2% in NSW for those not in full-time education (ABS, June 2025) — and often higher in regional areas — national not-for-profit organisation Community Resources developed Strive for Success to tackle the root causes of unemployment by helping young people overcome complex barriers to finding and keeping work. The approach reflects its mission to create jobs that care for people and planet.

Key outcomes include:

• 89% of participants who gained work remained employed
• Participants across all employment types worked an average of 20 hours per week
• 91% identified at least one barrier to employment, with mental health being the most common (66%)
• 88% of those who gained employment overcame an average of three barriers
• 79% completed a tailored employment pathway plan
• 64% demonstrated high levels of engagement in intensive job coaching sessions

Strive for Success operates in the Illawarra and Mid North Coast, delivered through Community Resources’ youth service Homebase Youth Services. It demonstrates that a person-centred, community-based model leads to sustained employment – supporting young people to not only secure work but stay employed and build toward long-term goals, without relying on employer wage subsidies.

In the Illawarra, 23-year-old Charley’s story shows the program’s impact in action.

After experiencing an episode of psychosis and spending three years in recovery, Charley met Zoe Matthews, a Strive for Success Jobs Coach.

“When we first partnered up, I was still recovering,” Charley said. “Zoe discussed opportunities — work, TAFE, short courses — that spoke to me as a person with a history of mental health troubles. She’s always encouraged a healthy workload, which inspired me to seek part-time work.”

As part of her journey, Charley also took part in a styling session at Dress for Success, where she received a new outfit to wear to interviews — boosting her confidence and presentation.

“Thanks to Zoe and Strive for Success, I’ve recently obtained a job!” Charley said.

Zoe added: “Charley has so many shifts coming up at a local newsagent and is a totally different person now. It’s great to see!”

Lisa Berry, General Manager of Community Services at Community Resources, said, “I’m proud of this program because of our team’s deep commitment and the strong networks they’ve built with local employers and services – that’s a big part of why it works.”

“Just as important are the relationships we build with participants. We don’t push young people through a system. We listen to what they need, empower them to take the lead, and walk alongside them as they work towards their goals.”

Participants receive one-on-one coaching, complete an in-house employability program, and access up to 12 months of post-placement support.

Insights identified through evaluation include:

1. Tailored coaching drives results: Participants who consistently engaged with job coaches achieved stronger employment outcomes.
2. Casual work can be a stepping stone: Many participants balanced casual jobs with part-time study, gaining income while building qualifications for future career pathways.
3. Young people often overestimate their job readiness: Skilled coaches helped close this gap, building the confidence and capabilities needed for lasting employment.

Berry said the results show the program’s potential to grow.

“We started this program with funding from the Paul Ramsay Foundation because we believed there had to be a better way to get young people into work – and we’ve proven there is. What we’ve built has the potential to grow and challenge the standard approaches across the country. We’re looking forward to seeing where it can go next.”

Community Resources is seeking partners to help continue and expand Strive for Success. To learn more, get in touch at https://communityresources.org.au/contact-us

About us:

About the Strive for Success Program

Strive for Success is a youth job skills training and employment program developed and delivered by Community Resources through Homebase Youth Services. The program supports young people to overcome vocational and non-vocational barriers, build confidence, develop job readiness, and secure meaningful employment. Participants receive tailored coaching, training, and post-placement support to help them succeed at work and in life. The program is currently delivered across the Mid North Coast and Illawarra, with a strong focus on community connection, employer engagement and long-term outcomes. https://striveforsuccess.org.au/

About Homebase Youth Services

The Strive for Success program is delivered by Homebase Youth Services (HYS) in the Mid North Coast and Illawarra. HYS has supported young people to develop economic and social livelihoods for over 25 years through early intervention programs, case management, referrals and empowering activities. Strive for Success participants benefit from the HYS team’s extensive youth work experience and strong network of services, government departments and schools. HYS is part of Community Resources. www.homebase.org.au

About Community Resources

We are a national not-for-profit and registered charity. Community Resources creates jobs that care for people and planet. We run some of the largest certified social enterprises in the country – Resource Recovery Australia, Soft Landing and Green Yakka – and deliver a range of place-based community services through Homebase Youth Services, Helping Hands and Great Lakes and Manning Youth Homelessness Services. Last year, we employed 786 people across NSW, QLD, VIC, WA and the ACT. www.communityresources.org.au  

Contact details:

Rachel Walker
Communications & Marketing Manager
m: 0403 994 259
[email protected]