Impact & How It Works
Helping the manufacturing industry redesign jobs and grow a skilled youth workforce through innovation-focused, work-integrated learning.
A changing workforce.
A growing skills gap.
The Problem
Regional manufacturers are scaling — but 75% are reporting critical skill shortages in entry-level roles.
At the same time, our regions face high youth unemployment and limited pathways to meaningful, hands-on experience. The workforce is evolving fast, but traditional pipelines haven’t kept pace.
“How do we connect innovation-ready youth with the businesses that need them most?”
the solution
Our Solution
Work-integrated learning designed for manufacturing.
Job Skills Connect is a fully funded pilot program designed to:
Prepare youth with innovation-ready, industry-endorsed skills
Equip young individuals with the crucial skills needed for today's manufacturing sector, validated by industry standards, ensuring they are ready to contribute to innovative environments.
Support businesses to redesign roles and structure for the future
Offer guidance and resources to help manufacturing businesses adapt their job roles and organizational structures to meet the evolving demands of the industry.
Deliver hands-on work placements tailored to your team
Facilitate practical, on-the-job learning experiences that are specifically designed to integrate with your team's needs and workflows.
Offer HR support, coaching, and tools — at no cost
Provide complimentary human resources assistance, expert coaching, and essential tools to businesses participating in the program, maximizing their success and impact. Through flexible pre-skilling and an 8-week placement, businesses and young people work together to create value, drive innovation, and grow capability.
How It Helps
This initiative offers businesses access to young talent, role design support, and workforce tools, helping create a future-proof workforce. Simultaneously, young people gain experience, micro-credentials, and connections, while the initiative addresses workforce shortages and strengthens talent pipelines.
How It Helps Your Business
This is more than a placement — it’s a business development tool.
- Gain access to skilled, motivated young people trained in key innovation skills
- Receive tailored support to redesign roles and placement structure
- Access coaching and tools to embed long-term workforce capability
- No recruitment costs, no employment obligation
- Fresh talent brings new energy, ideas, and digital thinking into your team
“We’re not just filling a gap — we’re helping you future-proof your workforce.”
How It Helps Young People
Hands-on learning. Real-world skills. Career confidence.
Participants (aged 15–25) receive:
- Industry-endorsed micro-credentials in creativity, collaboration, problem solving, ethics, and more
- Access to real businesses and authentic work experience
- Ongoing coaching and mentoring during their placement
- A low-risk way to explore different jobs, industries, and career paths
“They leave with real skills, workplace confidence, and a stronger sense of direction.”
How It Helps the Industry
A scalable solution to a system-wide challenge.
Job Skills Connect is about more than one placement — it’s a pilot that:
- Builds a regional model for workforce transformation
- Supports industry to redesign jobs in response to Manufacturing 4.0/5.0
- Strengthens talent pipelines for high-value, innovation-driven sectors
- Informs future government, education and business policy through data and case studies
“Together, we’re building a stronger future for regional manufacturing.”
Process
How It Works
Business Onboarding
- Join a roundtable or 1:1 session
- Identify roles and redesign needs
- Get matched with a pre-skilled young person
Placement + Support
- Youth completes short course (3 or 10 weeks)
- 8-week placement begins (1–5 days/week)
- Receive coaching, tools, and check-ins
Wrap Up & Impact
- Case study, feedback and results shared
- No employment obligation
- Opportunity to grow your involvement
Want to see how it can work for your team?
Go to the Next Steps section for tools, onboarding videos, and everything you need to get started.