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From local to national: young voices driving systemic change in regional Australia.

Young leaders across NSW and QLD are shaping a future where young people have decent work, education, and realise the potential of their lives. Through a long-standing partnership with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL), VFFF co-funds the National Youth Employment Body (NYEB). This national alliance works to create a coordinated, effective approach to youth employment that empowers young people to influence change.

The newly formed NYEB Youth Advisory Board gathers eight young people with diverse lived experience into national conversations about youth employment. Committed to power-sharing and youth leadership, the Youth Advisory Board sits in the NYEB’s governance structure, ensuring young people shape the policies and practices that affect their lives.

Members of the NYEB Youth Advisory Board

At a July orientation weekend in Melbourne, the youth advisors crafted their shared vision and explored how to influence systemic change.
Seasonal hospitality worker, Anna, is from Eurobodalla, NSW, where youth unemployment remains high, at about 12%. After the weekend, she reflected, “I’m learning how many struggles young people face in employment are actually systemic.”

Eden, from Logan, QLD, where youth unemployment is equally high, is currently studying a Diploma of Justice. She urges young people not to wait, “just start (…) speak up even if your voice is shaking.” Gold Coast public service trainee, Kianni, co-chairs her local NYEB Community Investment Committee. She is passionate about creating decent jobs and is confident that “courage and willingness to take risks will be rewarded.”

Using Advantaged Thinking – focusing on strengths rather than deficits - BSL is investing in young people by building their professional and advocacy skills. With facilitation training, conference leadership and a policy response on AI careers ahead, these young leaders are shaping the future.