The Y in Australia joins calls for a ‘Youth Futures Guarantee’ as proposed in preliminary findings released today (Mon 24 Aug) by the National Youth Commission Australia’s Inquiry into Youth Employment and Transitions.

The Y, a large youth-focused not for profit employer of young people with 45% of its 12,000 employees under 30,  says the guarantee clearly spells out what young people need as they navigate transitions from school to work, and from entry into the labour force towards sustainable long-term employment.

“Australia’s young people need this now, more than ever before,” says Melinda Crole, National CEO.

“There can be no doubt that young people are among those most significantly impacted by the immediate impacts of COVID-19 with upheavals in their education, training and employment pathways and disruption to social connections at a time when they are establishing life-long foundations for successful economic, social and civic participation.”

“These early impacts to the market have resulted in deep fissures in the already unstable and uncertain employment landscape for young people. Unfortunately, many of the issues experienced by young people as a result of COVID-19 are not new.

“While we understand the systemic inequality and exclusion faced by many young people, we also recognise the strength, resilience and innovation inherent in young people during this time.  Our young people have been magnificent as they have stepped up and innovated to shift content and programs online during the COVID-19 pandemic  to keep young people connected, heard and supported via online connection, including Virtual Y, WhyNot and YChats and several of the Y’s flagship Youth Parliaments programs.

“Importantly, we also recognise the critical role that young people will play in our economic and social recovery and the Y strongly believes that young people must be at the centre of how we re-imagine our future as a nation, for the benefit of all Australians.

“We know that young people are the experts in their own lives, bringing an innovative mindset, a willingness to adapt to change and a strong sense of creativity. It is critical that young people are part of designing the solutions and we must ensure their voices are heard at this time.”

“Young people of today will be the 30 and 40 somethings of tomorrow – so unless we collectively make the investment in young people now, our future tax base, our future workforce and our future leadership will be eroded. Our economic recovery depends on it,” said Ms Crole.

About the Y

The Y is a community not-for-profit and the oldest youth organisation in the world (175 years’ old). Services include: children’s services (early learning, kindergarten and out of school hours care), recreation (swimming, gyms, gymnastics), camping, youth programs and disability services. The Y’s services experience more than 29.5 million annual participations, including 9.84 million children participations and 1.2 million youth participations annually.

For comment or a young person to interview, please contact: Dianne McDonald, Executive Manager Brand and Communication, the Y.

M: 0412 858 556 or dianne.mcdonald@ymca.org.au