Young People, Big Potential: Building Benalla’s future workforce
At the September Coffee Connections, a collaboration between Benalla Rural City Council and Benalla Business Network, Jen Jackson, CEO of Tomorrow Today, spoke with Charlotte, who is completing a school-based apprenticeship with the organisation, about young people and Benalla’s future workforce.
The morning began by asking everyone to remember their own first job or work experience, and the person who gave them that first opportunity. It set the scene for a conversation about what young people can bring to the workplace, including reverse mentoring, where younger employees can share their knowledge and skills, particularly around technology, with more experienced generations and the important role local businesses and individuals can play as positive adult role models.
Benalla is fortunate to have programs through Tomorrow Today that create meaningful connections between young people and the wider community. As Jen summed up, each of us has an opportunity to be that positive adult in a young person’s life — just as, hopefully, someone once was for us.
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Jen - What is the best thing about employing a young person?
Charlotte - We are the future generation and the ONLY generation who have grown up in a technological society. This makes us an asset because our competent use of tech is more natural than others and assists society as use of technology increases.
Young people take more of an activist approach to many things which allow for possible radical change to be made. As a result, young people provide more opportunity for policies/programs/whatever is applicable to reflect society's changing views and values.
Young people can bring so much enthusiasm and willingness to learn when they feel valued. Because of possible limited previous experience, young people offer an employer the opportunity to shape their skills and really help mold them into their ways, passing down their knowledge. It could provide long-term potential in that field or work, or even for that individual business if the employee stays in Benalla and loves that business.
Jen - What do young people need to thrive in their first jobs? What sort of work environments support and help them succeed?
Charlotte - Good training and support are vital- many businesses just throw the young people into the deep end which can sometimes work in their favor, but it often leads to resentment from young people as they get in trouble for stuff they should have been taught.
In line with this, constructive feedback and respect are also key parts. Young people have grown up in a changing society and value respect that goes both ways. Ensuring the feedback given to young employees is respectful, collected and calm, even if it's negative, will reap more benefits than any yelling or screaming could ever do.
Work-life balance is MAJOR. My generation wants to work to live, not live to work. Flexibility around school, family, and other commitments are what many young people look for when applying for jobs.
Jen - What challenges face young people entering the workforce today, that you’d like employers to be aware of?
Charlotte - Nowadays, it is incredibly hard for young people to get a job without experience. The only options are fast food, hospitality, or retail unless they've already got 5+ years' experience.
The majority of businesses in Benalla are only open until 5-6 p.m. If young people are still attending school, they physically do not have the ability to work the minimum legal shift of 3 hours. So, it results again, the only options being fast food, hospitality or retail (and the supermarkets).
Low confidence and social anxiety are the major factors relating to young people struggling in the workforce. People don't realise the effect covid has had, but many of my friends literally cannot socialise with strangers without experiencing symptoms of a panic attack. I’m sure this would extend to the larger percent of young people in Benalla.
Smaller factors include clear communication, which sometimes seems to be lacking between young people and their managers, and training is often not too standard, which has ripple effects on both the business and young people.
Jen - Can you tell us about your SBAT, and how employers might get involved?
Charlotte - SBATs are a partnership between schools and businesses to provide employment opportunities to students. It’s a type of apprenticeship that involves the student working one day (sometimes two) a week and undertaking a TAFE course that's in line with the business's values.
For example, I’m completing a Cert III in Business with Tomorrow Today. My time spent with Tomorrow Today has taught me many life skills and provided me with many experiences I would not be exposed to otherwise. Likewise, many other students who undertook an SBAT had a similar positive experience.
Jen - To get involved, I would contact one of the schools and see if what your business offers is a plausible option. From there, it’s planning the involvement of TAFE and organising within the school.
Tomorrow Today also offers opportunities for local business people to support young people’s career aspirations and grow Benalla’s future workforce. These include:
Living Libraries careers morning: annual event, 2 hours of Q&A with Year 5–6 students
Connect9: Mentoring a young person or hosting a workplace visit for mentors and mentees
Benalla Future Work Steering Committee: meets every 2 months
Corporate volunteering: support your staff to volunteer with our programs
Christmas Cheer campaign: financial contribution or a donation of toys/goods
Donations: talk to us about workplace giving, sponsorship or other opportunities.
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Thank you to Jen and Charlotte for their time to join the Benalla Coffee Connections which is a monthly collaboration between Benalla Rural City Council and Benalla Business Network, bringing local businesses together to connect, share ideas and hear from people across the community.
If you’re interested to learn more about Tomorrow Today or would like to get involved, please contact: jenjackson@tomorrowtoday.com.au / 0414 686 983. www.tomorrowtoday.com.au