Jobs for young Australians: a report of the Young Australians - Making the Future Work project

This report contributes to the need for public debate on policy alternatives for youth employment. It provides an overview of the youth labour market and includes a series of recommendations for enhancing the employment of young Australians, a National Charter for Economic Development, Employment and Citizenship, and steps towards a national employment strategy for young Australians. Recommendations, listed under 'Employment policy goals' and 'Education and training reforms', include: the Commonwealth government establishing employment growth targets; a National Youth Employment Safety Net or Guarantee so that every school leaver receives an offer of employment or traineeship, apprenticeship, training or higher education place within six months of leaving school; the establishment of a Regional Youth Employment Innovation Program to promote the development of innovative youth employment projects in regions with high youth unemployment; ensuring all 15 year olds are linked to 'career mentors' who provide individual support and advice about employment, education and training options; incorporating core elements of programs such as the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) into training programs to enable participants to gather further skills that would assist them to eventually establish their own business; reviewing entry-level training incentives for young people to take up traineeships, especially wage levels; and ensuring that the Modern Australian Apprenticeship and Training System becomes more accessible to young women and young people with special needs.