A holistic approach to youth disadvantage

Youth unemployment is a highly complex phenomenon. Implementing programs that enable youth to gain the skills, attitudes, behaviours and perceptions needed to break the cycle of poverty before reaching adulthood is a challenge.

Research suggests that economic empowerment activities targeting young people, such as vocational and business development training, should be integrated into programs that develop a positive self-identity, life and work readiness skills. Evidence shows a clear connection between holistic programs that foster the development of these skills and positive life outcomes in the labour market, family life, conflict resolution, civic engagement and health behaviours.

This is what the Involvement, Motivation, Participation, Action, Community, Teens (IMPACT) Club model – targeting adolescents aged 12-17 years – and the Skills and Knowledge for Youth Economic Empowerment (SKYE) Club model – targeting youth aged 18-26 years – is designed to accomplish.