Building confidence and career pathways for young people in Melbourne’s West
For young people entering the workforce, the first step can often be the hardest. For many young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, barriers including limited English proficiency, lack of local work experience, discrimination and financial disadvantage can make finding employment or accessing further training significantly more challenging.
These challenges are particularly acute in Melbourne’s west, with youth unemployment above 14 per cent. This is significantly higher than the national average. Without the right support, young people can become disconnected from education, employment and their communities, impacting their confidence, wellbeing and future opportunities.
For 25 years, Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley Local Learning and Employment Network (mmvllen) has worked with schools, employers, community organisations and government to create education, training and employment pathways for young people experiencing disadvantage. Through locally designed programs, mmvllen helps young people build skills, confidence and the connections needed to thrive.
With the support of a $50,000 FFV grant, mmvllen is delivering the next iteration of its Youth Employment Pathways Program (YEPP) in 2026 – an intensive, culturally responsive program supporting up to 40 young people aged 17-25 across Melbourne’s west.
Through four six-week rounds, YEPP provides participants with practical tools and experiences to build their confidence and prepare for the workforce. Participants develop their resumes and cover letters, practise interview skills, explore career pathways and gain insights into local industries through workplace visits and employer engagement.
Recent cohorts have visited workplaces including Citywide Service Solutions, City of Melbourne facilities, Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence and Stockland Point Cook Town Centre, giving participants first-hand exposure to a range of accessible career opportunities and workplace environments.
“Industry tours are an invaluable part of YEPP. In an accommodating environment, young participants can see for themselves what particular jobs look like day-to-day. They explore the workspaces and hear about career opportunities down the line. They can engage with employers, ask questions, and get more exposure to a professional working environment, and build connections. Even where it’s not of interest, the act of exposure helps young people better understand their interests and pathways to employment,” says Hind Karim, YEPP facilitator.
Alongside employment skills, the program creates a supportive space where young people can connect with peers, share experiences and build confidence in their own abilities. For many participants, this sense of connection is an important step towards feeling ready to pursue employment opportunities.
“There is a lot of power in sharing the experience with your peers, realising that you are perhaps struggling with the same worries. We really see the difference in confidence, just giving participants the environment to engage with each other, work toward independent but mutual goals. Friendships form; great ideas are shared. Participants even hit the road together, sharing resumes,” says Hind.
The program builds on the success of previous YEPP rounds, which have demonstrated the impact of combining practical employment skills with confidence-building and connection. Network staff continue to provide support and engage with participants for six months following participants’ completion of the program. In 2024, YEPP participants achieved an 85 per cent employment rate among graduates within that six-month period.
Through the year so far, 2026 cohorts have achieved great things. Over a quarter found employment during or immediately following the program’s completion, 68 per cent have engaged in courses related to their preferred industry, and there are significant increases in confidence with interviewing – a frequent source of anxiety for young employment-seekers – as well as motivation to engage in job-seeking.
Selma, a participant in the first 2026 round, came to the program seeking support with job ready skills and building networks for her career pathway in Community Services. Immediately following the six-week program, Selma successfully interviewed for a role as a youth facilitator, feeling confident that her application showcased her experience and passion for giving back to her community after completing the workshops. This boost in self-belief motivated her to apply for the Ucan2 volunteer program at the Centre for Multicultural Youth.
Selma shared that she didn’t really know what her strengths were before joining YEPP. “During our sessions, my facilitator noticed that my curiosity was an asset and strength – I didn’t really know this before, but now I’ve learned to channel that strength to set up my future.”
By investing in programs that address both the practical and personal barriers to employment, FFV is helping young people build confidence, strengthen community connections and take meaningful steps towards their future.
