WorkVentures – Championing meaningful employment and skills training

Finalist - Employer of the Year Award 2025

For over 45 years, WorkVentures has quietly driven social change as one of Australia’s longest-running not-for-profit social enterprises. At the heart of their work lies a simple yet transformative belief - that meaningful employment and skills training are key to breaking cycles of disadvantage.

A Finalist in The King’s Trust Australia 2025 Employer of the Year Awards, WorkVentures has supported thousands of people into training, education, and long-term employment - particularly those facing social or economic barriers – since 1979.

And the work they do is both diverse and impactful. From supporting young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into employment, to delivering skills development, vocational training, and capacity building for like-minded charitable organisations, WorkVentures is helping to build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Recognising that education is not one-size-fits-all, their highly successful Youth Employment Services (YES) team provides wraparound support for diverse young people through paid traineeships that offer hands-on experience and real career pathways.

Their Cyber Security Training Program boasts a 90% completion rate and a 100% job placement outcome while their Partnerships with Purpose initiative has created business and community service traineeships for First Nations people, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people with disability - nsuring that lived experience shapes more effective, inclusive support systems.

With national Indigenous employment rates still alarmingly low - less than 50% compared to 75% for non-Indigenous Australians - WorkVentures is deeply committed to closing this gap through targeted, culturally aware training and employment pathways.

When asked why they do this work, their answer is clear: “Because it’s right. Because it matters. And because it works.”