The Greater Charitable Foundation is celebrating two years of impact through its partnership with PCYC NSW, helping young people in the Hunter build confidence, develop job-readiness skills, and take positive steps toward employment.

With $411,000 of funding from the Greater Charitable Foundation, four Fit For Work programs have been delivered across two PCYC NSW locations – Windale in the Hunter and Illawarra/Bulli in the Illawarra.

The program runs twice per year at each site and supports young people aged 15 to 17 who are disengaged from education or work. Over 10 weeks, participants take part in vocational training, life skills development, and mentoring delivered by a NSW Police youth engagement officer, a youth worker, and a trainer. Post-program mentoring helps young people stay on track as they work toward their employment goals.

To date, 27 young people in the Hunter have completed the program and gone on to undertake work experience placements, while 13 participants have since been successful in gaining part-time or full-time employment. Employees of NGM Group, of which the Greater Charitable Foundation is a part, have supported program delivery by running mock interview sessions, giving participants the opportunity to build real-world communication skills in a professional setting.

NGM Group Head of Community and Sustainability Kirrah McClelland said the program is making a lasting impact on the lives of young people in the Hunter.

“We’ve seen firsthand how this program helps young people feel more confident about who they are and where they’re heading,” Ms McClelland said. “Supporting something that creates that kind of shift in someone’s life, especially here in the Hunter, means a lot to us. It’s exactly the kind of impact the Greater Charitable Foundation exists to deliver.”

PCYC NSW CEO Ben Hobby said the Fit For Work program provides a structured, supportive pathway for young people looking to reconnect with their goals and future.

“Our partnership with the Greater Charitable Foundation has made a significant life-changing difference, through a shared commitment to empowering young people across NSW,” Mr Hobby said. “Over the past two years, together we have successfully delivered four impactful programs across Lake Macquarie and the Illawarra Region, resulting in 49 program graduates which is huge progress towards a pathway for long-term self-reliance through employment or further education. These outcomes are a testament to the strength of strategic collaboration and the transformative potential of targeted support. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Foundation for their generous contributions and unwavering belief in our mission.”

A program graduate said the experience helped them grow in confidence and feel more prepared for life after school.

“When I came into the program, I had no idea what I wanted to do. During the course we did many activities where we all learnt something and got to put our skills to use. Now four months after completing the Fit For Work Program, I am still in the apprenticeship I gained during the course. This isn’t just a course, it is a way to help kids in need like me to figure out and help us achieve what we want to do in life.”

The Greater Charitable Foundation’s funding supported the delivery of two Fit For Work programs at PCYC Windale in 2024 and two programs at PCYC Illawarra in 2025, providing ongoing opportunities for young people in the Hunter to build skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

IMAGE | PCYC NSW CEO Ben Hobby speaking