What YPN do (all YPN services are free)

YPN's emphasis is to engage with high school students to reduce youth unemployment and crime in Western Sydney. YPN activities are directed at:

• informing Western Sydney youth about the different career paths that exist
  
• giving Western Sydney youth the skills to successfully gain entry into these career paths
  
• giving practical advice about the challenges Western Sydney youth face once employed
  
• inspiring Western Sydney youth to work hard, chase their goals and stay away from crime
  

Career essentials session

The career essentials session is a discussion between YPN speakers and high school students. The format involves:

• an overview about the experiences and potential challenges young people will face after high school
  
• a discussion on tertiary study, volunteering, scholarships, careers, apprenticeships, traineeships, alternative pathways to university study, running your own business, employability skills, workplace rights and responsibilities
  
• a question and answer session between YPN speakers and students
  
• informal talks between YPN speakers and students, encouraging mentorship opportunities
  



Leadership and teamwork session

YPN recognise the importance of leadership and teamwork. To help develop these skills, YPN conduct a leadership and teamwork session with high school students directed at:

• highlighting the difference between leadership and management
  
• the interrelationship between leadership and teamwork
  
• leadership, management and teamwork case studies amongst a range of occupations
  
• leadership and teamwork scenarios
  

Job interview session

A job interview can make or break a student's pathway to their desired career. In order to prepare for that interview, practice is essential. YPN conduct job interview sessions where high school students get exposure to:

• the job interview format
  
• key tips to succeed
  
• common questions asked
  

Cover letter and CV drafting session

A good cover letter and CV is important to earn that job interview. YPN understand that students don't get all the tips necessary to build a good cover letter and CV. YPN conduct cover letter and CV drafting sessions designed to teach students about:

• the format of a cover letter and CV
  
• the importance of work experience and volunteering in a cover letter and CV
  
• the appropriate choice of referees in a CV
  
• good and bad cover letters and CVs
  

Communication skills for the workplace session

Whether in the workplace or in social contexts, communication is important. The communication skills for the workplace session help gives high school students the confidence to express themselves and examines:

• the importance of communication in the workplace
  
• verbal and non-verbal communication
  
• communication scenarios in the workplace
  

Speaker personal story/career journey with inspirational focus

YPN offer a variety of speakers to discuss their personal story/career journey with students. Most YPN speakers grew up in Western Sydney and overcame their own personal hurdles to be where they are today. The intent is to connect with students giving them the inspiration to chase their own professional goals.

Say "No" to Crime Forum

YPN conduct an annual Say "No" to Crime Forum connecting students from various high schools with representatives from police, corrective services, the legal profession and reformed former criminals. The Forum discusses:

• The types of crime young people will most likely face
  
• The reasons young people engage in criminal activity
  
• The consequences of engaging in criminal activity
  
• How to cease or avoid engaging in criminal activity
  

Other tailored sessions

YPN are able to adjust sessions to cater for specific needs requested by schools. This involves:

• assisting with existing school activities
  
• developing sessions with a focus on a specific topic
  
• assisting with parent/teacher nights regarding careers and HSC subject selection
  
• other advice to teachers and students
  

Linking students with industry

YPN is made up of representatives from different industries and professions.

YPN recognise that high school students don't have all the answers regarding what they want to do after graduation and the potential difficulties stemming from the labour market. As a result, YPN seek to address this shortfall through linking students with industry representatives encouraging:

• informal dialogue between the industry representative and the student regarding their career
  
• work experience opportunities
  

Online Q & A platform for high school students

Over time, students have different questions that can't be answered by their parents, teachers or friends. YPN run a free online question and answer platform on Facebook and email.

Typical topics include, but are not limited to:

• HSC subject selection and study tips
  
• job interview tips
  
• alternate pathways into tertiary study
  
• cover letter and CV drafting
  
• volunteering opportunities
  
• work experience opportunities
  
• industry insight
  
• career advice
  
• scholarship application advice
  
• the adverse consequences of crime
  
• how to disengage or avoid engaging in crime
  

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