Helping employers remove barriers for young people and meet workforce needs

What is the Employer Innovation lab?

Across Australia, many employers are struggling to attract and keep younger staff, while one in five young people want more work but can’t find it. Some never got a head start in life. Others face barriers that sit quietly within everyday recruitment and workplace practices. The Lab helps employers identify and remove these barriers, so that more young people can build careers and businesses can build stronger teams. The Lab is an evidence-based program that provides practical support through a process of designing, implementing, and assessing small pilots within their organisations Since 2022, we have worked with more than 40 major employers nationwide, from manufacturing to retail and professional services, changing the way businesses engage with young people.

Stories from the lab

Making council careers possible: How Brimbank Council connected to local youth

A pilot program changing hiring from the inside out.

“Show up every day”: How Consep’s Young Starters program is building careers – and transforming business culture

Reimagining the hiring process.

Young Starters program wins Shared Value Award

More than a job: How GW Landscapes rewrote the recruitment playbook offering careers to youth at risk

A story of innovation, empathy, and cultural transformation.

A new way forward for youth disability employment

An independent evaluation released in May 2025 found that employers participating in the Employer Innovation Lab are changing their business practices.

Gearing up for growth: How 99 Bikes is investing in young talent

A pilot that started small but changed the way a national business thinks about youth employment.

Explore how employers across Australia are changing their business-as-usual practices

More employment case studies

What other employers are saying

 [The Young Starters Program] is one of the most profound things I have achieved in my career… it touched me more than anything I have done, watching them overcome challenges.” Grant Stewart • Founding CEO, Consep

The Employer Innovation Lab gave us the tools to listen to our workforce and refine our practices. Without SVA, we wouldn’t have been able to launch this program or create the systems that are now integral to our operations. They supported us in designing the pilot, and adapting it based on feedback, and evaluating its impact.” Paul Hutchinson • Project Manager Employment Pathways GW Landscapes

We now know that investing in this type of work saves us money. It builds stronger teams, improves efficiency, and helps us grow the business in a more sustainable way.” Michelle Mordike • B Corp Leader Pedal Group

The Employer Innovation Lab has helped us provide an improved service and nurture our apprentices and trainees better.” Katie Boland • Field Representative, My Gateway

We were exposed to different people and perspectives, including employers, other participants, youth consultants, the SVA, and the CYDA team. Having everyone in the same room was extremely helpful – we received good input.” Michelle Edwards • Head of People & Culture, APM

[The Lab] never felt like we were judged if we weren’t achieving as quickly as we wanted to. It just felt like we had support, empathy, and kindness.” Rachel Leach • Workforce Director – Strategy & Planning, Spark Event Group

Without Social Ventures Australia and the Employer Innovation Lab, this role—and everything we’ve achieved through the pilot—wouldn’t have been possible. Their support in designing, refining, and evaluating this initiative set us up for success. It changed how we think about workforce development.” Peter Adcock • Managing Director GW Landscapes

The Employer Innovation Lab gave us that structure, the know-how and the backing to put what we knew into action.” Peter Balbata • Community Learning and Participation, Brimbank City Council

Resources for employers

We directly involve young people and create opportunities for employers to hear their stories. This helps employers understand how to hire and support young workers.

Employer Innovation Lab: Young People with Disability

Voices on Work: Young people with Disability in Greater Melb

Working with employers to advance opportunity

First Australians and the economic crisis

Voices on Work: Young People in Western Melbourne

Lessons from the frontline

Meet our coaches

Meet the experts supporting employers in the Lab; our coaches provide clear guidance and stay focused on the practical shifts that help you address workforce challenges and strengthen inclusion.