GNAU’s ‘Good Start Project’ is designed to equip youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure sustainable employment. By offering specialised training in hairdressing, cooking, bartending, customer service, call centre operations, and marketing, the project provides a pathway for youth to gain financial independence and build sustainable careers. Over the past ...
Good Neighbours Australia
Good Start Project
GOAL
$100,000
International
Field of Interest
- Education/training and employment
- International aid and development
Target Population
- Women and girls
- Young people (6-25)
Good Neighbours Australia
Good Neighbours Australia (GNAU) is part of the global Good Neighbours partnership (GN) which reaches around 7 million people each year in 51 countries, backed by 34 years of international community development experience.
GNAU was founded in Australia in 2018 as an Australian entity that initiates and innovates its own programs according to strategic priorities, primarily in neighbouring South and South-East Asia. It has established programs with affiliated GN global partners in Vietnam, the Philippines and Bangladesh as it continues to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities in the region.
GNAU is committed to raising up and empowering youth, particularly girls and young women. Its programs primarily focus on supporting young girls as they transition through secondary school into vocational training, employment and income generation opportunities, as well as higher education, depending on their aptitude. Various adaptations of the projects are designed according to the needs of particular countries and amongst communities in which they are developed.
GNAU’s primary programs seek to address: Vocational training and income generation opportunities; Career creation through tertiary education; Keeping girls at secondary school, for as long as possible. GNAU’s programs seek to reduce school dropout rates, address the barriers for out-of-school youth to gain further skills, provide education opportunities to those in remote areas who lack access to skill development, and set them on a pathway to support themselves so they can contribute to their families and communities long-term.
Project Summary
GNAU’s ‘Good Start Project’ is designed to equip youth from disadvantaged backgrounds with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure sustainable employment. By offering specialised training in hairdressing, cooking, bartending, customer service, call centre operations, and marketing, the project provides a pathway for youth to gain financial independence and build sustainable careers.
Over the past three years, through the ‘Good Barber Project’ (formerly the Good Barber Project), which was the pilot project of Vocational Training programs in Vietnam, GNAU has had the opportunity to support youth living in remote areas—where professional skill development except for the traditional industries like agriculture is nearly inaccessible—by providing hairdressing vocational training. Witnessing how this initiative has transformed their lives has been truly remarkable. It has not only significantly improved their quality of life but has also given them hope for the future. All of the trainees have successfully secured paid internships or jobs, and many aspire to open their own shops in their communities in the future. Many of our participants have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn soft skills, such as communication skills and leadership, during the training.
The ‘Good Start Project’ comprises three key elements: Coursework, Mentorship, and Paid Internships, Apprenticeships, or Formal Employment.
By addressing critical skill gaps and empowering youth with hands-on skills, this project plays a crucial role in fostering social and economic inclusion. This initiative is not just about training—it is about transforming lives and creating long-term opportunities for youth.
Project Outcomes
The ‘Good Start Project’ aims to achieve several key results by addressing critical skill gaps and empowering marginalised youth with vocational training.
The primary outcomes include:
- Increased Employability: Participants will gain hands-on experience through paid internships, apprenticeships, and formal employment, enhancing their ability to secure sustainable, job-ready skills.
- Economic Independence: Youth will experience improved financial stability as a result of gaining sustainable employment or income-generating opportunities.
- Social Inclusion: The program aims to foster the successful integration of marginalised youth into society by equipping them with professional skills and building their confidence and social networks.
- Strengthened Professional Networks: Participants will have access to mentors and industry professionals, improving their industry knowledge.
To measure these outcomes, we will use the following metrics:
- Employment Rate: Tracking the number of participants who secure paid positions upon completion of the coursework.
- Income Level: Measuring the financial stability of participants, including any increase in their income after completing the program.
- Skill Acquisition: Tracking participant dropout rates and completion rates.
- Mentorship Engagement: Tracking the number of mentorship sessions attended by participants and the feedback received from mentors.
Key outcomes are assessed through a range of quantitative and qualitative methods, such as the tracking of basic indicators, baseline and end line surveys, mentorship reports, and case management records.
Since its launch, GNAU’s project has maintained a 100% employment success rate, with every participant securing a paid internship or job upon completing the training.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $105,600
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funding Gap | $100,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Training Materials and Supplies | $20,000 |
| Vocational Training Coursework | $60,000 |
| Allowance for 100 Students | $20,000 |
| Cost of Local Mentorship Program | $1,500 |
| Local Staff Allowance | $600 |
| Monitoring Trip Expenses | $3,500 |
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