Shifting workplace systems
An independent evaluation of Employer Innovation Labs, run by SVA, has identified practice change and positive outcomes across participating employers, collectively employing 445 young people who faced barriers at critical stages of their employment journey.
- News
3 min read
The Employer Innovation Labs were initially funded by the Citi Foundation, followed by multi-year support from the Paul Ramsay Foundation and the Macquarie Group Foundation, with additional support from government.
From 2022 to 2025, independent researchers from the Australian Catholic University and the University of Sydney evaluated the Employer Innovation Lab (the Lab) for SVA. The Lab supports employers through a structured process to remove barriers and create pathways into quality jobs for young people at risk of exclusion.
Evaluators, Jo Ingold, Qian Yi Lee, and Angela Knox said, “evidence across multiple rounds found that the Labs are an effective mechanism for fostering organisational change and improving HR practices.”
“Employers consistently reported that the Labs allowed them to dedicate time to reflect on their workforce challenges, supported by a structured process that included ongoing tailored coaching and opportunities for peer learning.”
- 83% of employers reported practice changes
- 95% of employers demonstrated increased understanding of the labour market challenges impacting young people
- 100% of employers stated that they found the tools and resources provided by SVA throughout the Lab process useful
- Almost half (49%) of the participating employers had completed their pilot projects at the time of this report, noting that others are continuing with implementation.
- 445 young people otherwise at risk of exclusion have secured ongoing employment.
Overcoming barriers for young job seekers
Adapted by SVA from the US Talent Rewire model for the Australian context, the Lab is a structured learning and change process that asks employers to rethink job design, hiring steps, onboarding, and day-to-day support for young people at risk of exclusion.
The Lab supports employers to change through a bespoke, structured process.
SVA’s Employment Director, Dr Lisa Fowkes said, “to ensure young people can access quality jobs that meet their needs and aspirations, we must remove the barriers that are excluding them from these opportunities.
Our work with employers shows how it can be done in a way that benefits business and young people.”
Tangible changes for employers
The evaluation highlights the tangible changes made. Employers:
- simplified job ads and position descriptions,
- identified or created new entry-level roles,
- redesigned recruitment and selection processes,
- tested inclusive onboarding approaches,
- made workplace adjustments, and
- built internal champions and training programs.
The evaluation identified that the Lab’s key strengths included the structured workshop and coaching format, the integration of youth consultants with lived experience, and regular peer reflection. It highlights the importance of flexibility, enabling employers to adapt timelines and focus areas without losing the expectation of measurable change.
A defining feature of the Lab model is the active involvement of young people. SVA interviews young people sharing their insights through a Youth Voices report and video. Young people also participate in the Lab workshops as youth consultants, sharing lived experiences and providing feedback on employer ideas while pilots are still being developed.
One participating employer found the conversations with young people to be powerful, “I didn’t think I would have the opportunity… to really ask the hard questions and get the hard answers.”
Participants described the Labs as being particularly effective in creating space for critical conversations. These conversations allowed them to explore systematic barriers to youth employment with peers and their own organisations and, consider ways, in which they as employers, can contribute to addressing them.
“They’ve definitely kept me on track. I know being quite busy this is something that could have dragged out for a lot longer,” said one of the participating employers.
… having those coaching sessions set up with some really strong measurables and a timeline in place definitely had me step through it… ”
“Had I not had SVA as a partner to help schedule those regular coaching sessions, it would be on my backburner.”
The evaluation team added, “although the progress inevitably varied across the diverse employers, there was significant, emerging evidence of shifts in practice, mindset and behaviour across organisations.
“Employers demonstrated greater awareness of the barriers faced by young people, and the majority were taking steps to adapt their existing recruitment and workplace policies and practices.”
The evaluators used qualitative methods documenting the practice change employers trialled, what they learned, what became business-as-usual, and what stalled.
What’s next
Building on the success of previous Labs, SVA will continue delivering Employer Innovation Labs across Australia improving outcomes for business, staff, and the young people that gain access to quality jobs and careers.
Register your interest to be a participant
To learn more about the Employer Innovation Lab or express your interest in future Labs, visit Employer Innovation Lab.
