Youth Pathways aims to help those 13 to 19-year-olds who are most at risk of not making a smooth transition through school to year 12 or its equivalent, and to move on to further education, training or employment, and active participation in the community.

Youth Pathways aims to reduce the number of those young people who leave school early and are not working or studying 12 months after leaving school.  By keeping them engaged or re-engaging them with school or training, Youth Pathways aims to increase the number of young people completing Year 12 or its equivalent, greatly increasing their likelihood of making a smooth transition.  Studies show that young people who do not complete Year 12 or its equivalent, have a significantly greater risk of not working or studying 12 months after leaving school.

Youth Pathways providers interact with participants on a one-to-one basis. The provider conducts an individual assessment to identify the young person’s barriers to making a successful transition and together, the provider and the young person develops a transition plan with strategies to address the barriers.

The provider then helps the individual to achieve the actions outlined in the plan. Youth Pathways also provides ongoing support and guidance as the participant progresses through education or training and beyond.

The preferred order of outcomes for participants in Youth Pathways is:

·         retain or re-engage participants in school through to completion of year 12 or its equivalent

·         engage or re-engage participants in non-school-based education, vocational learning and training

·         prepare the participant for effective engagement in Job Network activities.

Youth Pathways is a national programme with 100 service regions throughout Australia with services delivered by contracted providers.  It is part of the broader suite of Career Advice Australia programmes and operates with Local Community Partnerships to strengthen networks between schools and career and transition support services.

For Youth Pathways Guidelines and other administrative documents, click here.