RISEUP incorporates job ready programs, mentoring and vocational training for at risk youth aged between 15 and 18 to build their engagement with education, employment opportunities and the community.

Although our primary focus is to return young people into the education system, it is appreciated that there are youth who are less likely to return and would benefit more from assistance to facilitate them into employment.  These young people are the key participants of the RISEUP programs, facilitated by the NSW Police Force and PCYC NSW.

The foundations of the initiative focus on early intervention to prevent and disrupt crime. It is a collaborative approach with PCYC NSW and industry leaders to achieve positive outcomes for young people and divert them from the criminal justice system. The establishment of a direct pathway to employment strongly supports the government’s policy to ensure young people are learning, in training or working.

The final stage in RISEUP, is the opportunity for participants to be connected to employment or further opportunities to enhance employment capability. This is the stage which will give purpose to the entire journey the young person has progressed through, as it provides them with a strong sense of achievement, pride, ownership and the ability to contribute to a team and their community.  Most importantly it breaks the less fortunate cycle they would have otherwise been on.

How can employers get involved?

The success of RISEUP can be credited to the support of dedicated founding industry partners and local businesses, vocational trainers, youth workers and police youth case managers.

Employers can get involved and help provide a positive environment to re-engage and realign relationships with young people, support their decision-making and deliver tangible education and employment outcomes. Visit www.riseup.org.au.