Online platform gives guidance to youth

THE Victorian Government has launched a new online toolkit to help the state’s young people navigate important aspects of life.

YouthNav asks young users about their skills with interactive prompts, and provides guidance on life topics using clickable information presented in an engaging way.

The platform helps young people understand, plan for and succeed in skills such as getting a job, moving out of home, getting around, having their say and managing money.

More than 160 young people aged from 13 to 25 were consulted during development of the platform, and provided feedback that has shaped the information and topics it covers.

Financial counsellors and youth practitioners, including South East Community Links, also provided insights from working with young people.

The platform was co-designed and tested with members of the Victorian Youth Congress, an advisory group made up of 20 young people aged 12 to 25 who work with the Victorian Government to make sure a youth perspective is embedded in policies and decisions that affect Victoria’s young people.

Victorian Youth Congress members were involved in concept and prototype testing of the online platform over a 12-month period that helped to create a resource that meets the needs and interests of young people.

YouthNav has been delivered as part of the Government’s ‘Our promise, Your future’ Youth Strategy 2022–2027.

Minister for Youth Natalie Suleyman launched the new platform last week.

“Young people have been involved in the design of this online platform every step of the way – the outcome is fantastic and this new resource will make a difference for young people across our state,” she said.

“We continue to work in partnership with young people to make sure we provide them with support, opportunities and a voice in the work we do, to help them succeed in life.”

For more information, or to try YouthNav, head to youthcentral.vic.gov.au/youthnav