Employment Coach - School Leaver

Mai-Wel; Maitland; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Mai-Wel’s Employment Services team invites you to join as an Employment Coach, delivering personalised, strengths-based support to help school leavers transition from education to employment, training or further study.

You’ll work closely with students, schools, families and employers to identify strengths, overcome barriers and create practical pathways to goals, while managing a caseload and coordinating workplace adjustments.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and a caseload.
• Experience in a people-focused role such as customer service or community services.
• Understanding of strengths-based or person-centred support.
• Awareness of barriers for young people entering employment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of participants, providing tailored support and guidance.
• Build relationships with schools, employers and referral partners.
• Identify and engage eligible school leavers.
• Conduct initial interviews and develop individual job plans.
• Support participants with job searching, applications and placements.
• Help coordinate workplace adjustments to support placements.
• Connect participants with employment, education and training opportunities.
• Monitor participation and maintain accurate records and documentation.

Skills

Communication

Relationship-building

Caseload management

Interviewing

Administrative tasks

Job description

About Us

The Mai-Wel Group is a Hunter region not-for-profit connecting people with possibilities for nearly 65 years. We partner with people with disability, young people and those experiencing disadvantage to build independence, confidence and real pathways into community, education, training, employment and enterprise. With a team of more than 370 people, we deliver integrated, person-centred supports across daily living and independence, social and creative participation, and real-world work-readiness programs that lead to jobs—reinvesting every dollar to grow impact across our region. Trusted, local and outcomes-driven, Mai-Wel is Full of Possible.

Help young people take their first steps towards meaningful employment.

• Support school leavers to build confidence, skills and independence.
• Connect with schools, employers and community partners.
• Receive structured training to support your start in the role.

About the opportunity

Join Mai-Wel’s Employment Services team and make a difference at an important stage in a young person’s life.

As an Employment Coach within our Eligible School Leaver Pilot Program, you will provide personalised, strengths-based support to help young people transition from school into employment, training or further education.

Working closely with students, schools, families and employers, you will help participants recognise their strengths, overcome barriers and build practical pathways towards their goals.

What you’ll do

• Manage a caseload of participants, providing tailored support and guidance.
• Build strong relationships with schools, employers and referral partners.
• Identify and engage eligible school leavers.
• Conduct initial interviews and develop individual job plans.
• Support participants with job searching, applications and employment placements.
• Help identify and coordinate workplace adjustments to support successful placements.
• Connect participants with suitable employment, education and training opportunities.
• Monitor participation and progress in line with program requirements.
• Maintain accurate records, case notes and documentation.

About you

You enjoy connecting with people and are passionate about helping young people see what is possible for their future. You bring patience, initiative and a practical approach to supporting participants towards sustainable employment outcomes.

You will bring:

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, a participant caseload and administrative tasks.
• Experience in a people-focused role, such as customer service or community services.
• An understanding of strengths-based or person-centred support.
• Awareness of the barriers young people may face when entering employment.

Desirable, but not essential:

• Experience in employment services, youth services or community programs.
• Knowledge of Workforce Australia or Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA).
• Relevant qualifications in Community Services, Disability, Youth Work or a related field.

Support to get you started.....

• A structured training plan is in place to support your first two weeks and help you build confidence in the role.
• A laptop and mobile phone will also be provided for work purposes.

About the pilot program

This position will initially support the Eligible School Leaver Pilot Program. Continued work within this specific program depends on its success, continuation and ongoing funding.

If the pilot does not continue, there may be an opportunity to continue working as an Employment Coach within the broader Employment Services team, subject to available roles and operational requirements.