Youth and disadvantage
The Rob Fairs Foundation helps transform the lives of Tasmania’s disadvantaged youth. Today we’re going to look at what the term ‘disadvantaged’ means.
According to Merriam Webster, disadvantaged (adj.) means “Lacking in basic resources or conditions (such as standard housing, medical and educational facilities, and civil rights) believed to be necessary for an equal position in society.”
Mission Australia highlighted back in 2021 in a study that young people experiencing disadvantage are more likely to be excluded from school excursions, extracurricular activities or social outings, which can have a negative impact on friendships and relationships. This can also have a negative effect on their wellbeing overtime.
Therefore, experiences of disadvantage can create economic and social barriers to education, training pathways and employment, which can increase people’s risk of experiencing long-term exclusion from the workforce, according to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS). A study conducted by the AIFS also found that young people who are not engaged employment or education or training, who are experiencing disadvantage, may benefit from multiple personalised supports and early intervention.
Research indicates a number of strategies in education or employment settings can support disadvantaged youth prepare for or find work; complementary supports, work-based skills, personalised supports and early intervention. Let’s look at these a bit closer.
Multiple, complementary supports
Services to help young people find work may include training opportunities, skill development, further education, job search assistance, financial support and career counselling.
Work-based skill
Access to industry-specific and transferable skill development programs and opportunities can enhance employability, and engage youth in training pathways.
Personalised supports
Research shows that support that focuses on individual social, cultural and economic experiences can lead to better employment outcomes for young people and higher income.
Early intervention
Supporting young people develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills allows opportunity to participate fully in further education, training and employment.
The Rob Fairs Foundation supports a variety of programs and organisations that support Tasmania’s disadvantaged youth with these topics raised. This includes National Joblink Careers Expo and, training and work-based skills programs in conjunction with businesses in our Fair Go Friends Network.