YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT The PAYCE Foundation is passionate about supporting young people to reach their potential, including youth at risk.
The 2016 Census puts youth unemployment (people aged 15-24 years) at 13.3 per cent, more than double the unemployment rate. In lower socioeconomic areas, youth unemployment can be as high as 30-40 per cent. In response to this significant social problem, the PAYCE Foundation established the social enterprise Kick Start. Kick Start A hospitality-based social enterprise, Kick Start operates a fleet of mobile cafes on construction sites around Sydney and provides training and employment opportunities to local youth. Kick Start aims to partner with developers, builders, industry stakeholders and community organisations to deliver positive social outcomes through jobs and training for young people from social housing and disadvantaged backgrounds. During their employment with Kick Start, trainees participate in a six-month program that includes practical on-the-job training, formal qualifications in hospitality and one-on-one support building life skills to help them succeed in the future. PAYCE Foundation support Kick Start is operated directly by the PAYCE Foundation. Unlike our other partnerships where we provide support to existing enterprises, this initiative was the brainchild of the Foundation.
PAYCE established Kick Start in 2014 as part of a social housing renewal project undertaken in partnership with the NSW government at Riverwood in Sydney’s south-west. The project started as a single worksite canteen aimed at addressing the high rates of youth unemployment in the area. Since then, Kick Start has grown into a multifaceted social enterprise operating mobile cafes, catering and event services, and providing training and employment opportunities for young people at risk. Over the past 12 months, by extending the reach and capacity of the program, Kick Start has been able to double trainee positions. Increased catering and event services have also provided significant additional opportunities for trainees. Kick Start has developed strong partnerships with community organisations and the construction industry and continues to expand its partner network across Sydney. The Kick Start team also played a key role in the PAYCE- backed Meal Share Service, which aided the vulnerable during COVID-19 restrictions. More than 15,000 meals were cooked and delivered to 262 recipients in the Melrose Park area in Sydney’s west during the winter lockdown of 2021. A similar number was also delivered in 2020. Those in need received meals seven days a week, with Kick Start managing all aspects of the service.
Kick Start partners REFERRING AGENCIES Clontarf Foundation Core Community Services Jesuit Refugee Service Mission Australia PCYC Project Youth Riverwood Community Centre Stretch-A-Family The Salvation Army Women’s Community Shelters Workskill Australia SITE
Key outcomes 2021 32 trainees employed 14 graduates
SPONSORS Charter Hall Frasers Property PAYCE
8440 trainee hours worked
170 study units completed
6 worksites serviced
77 % of participants completed the program
100 % of graduates moved to employment/ further study
Winten Property Group TRAINING PARTNERS TAFE NSW
I MPA CT R E PORT 2 0 2 1 1 5
1 4 PA Y C E FOUNDAT I ON
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker