[Sub ID 4889] Online Job Readiness Course (The Behavioural Insights Team Australia)

Submission ID: 4889
Organisation name: The Behavioural Insights Team Australia
Contact name: Mr Ravi Dutta
State: NSW
Contact email: info-aus@bi.team

Which priority group of the Try, Test and Learn Fund does your idea support?
Young parents

What need or issue are you trying to address?
Entering the workforce for the first time or returning to work after a long absence requires a level of job readiness. This can be a challenge for many young parents, who can face multiple barriers to employment. They may lack job-related skills and face practical obstacles, like finding childcare when preparing and participating in job interviews.

Public policies and programmes aimed at helping young parents have historically focused on either improving their parenting skills through specialist providers, or using employment assistance services to help them find work. Parenting skills and job readiness levels have rarely been seen as complementary, with existing services failing to adopt a holistic approach to help young parents find suitable employment.

However, parenting skills and job readiness can go hand in hand – for example, many parenting programmes teach non-cognitive skills, which are also positively associated with employment outcomes (Heckman, J. J., Stixrud, J., & Urzua, S. 2006). Given their specific employment barriers, we believe that young parents possess a particular need for assistance that speaks to both their roles as parents and their circumstances as persons requiring welfare.

What is your idea?
The Behavioural Insights Team and the Triple P team at Parenting and Family Support Centre (PFSC) at the University of Queensland propose to design and deliver an evidence-based online job readiness course to help unemployed young parents find work. The course will complement existing online parenting skills programmes and target young parents ready to enter the labour market.

Evidence shows that participants of parenting programmes, such as those run by Triple P, have children with fewer behavioural problems, are more confident, and have improved wellbeing. These improvements mean parents are better equipped to tackle other major challenges, such as finding and maintaining a job. Triple P programs also have access to, and a high level of credibility with, young parents.

The course will be based on insights from behavioural sciences to encourage successful completion and better outcomes. Modules within the course can include:
– How to use online job search platforms effectively
– How to leverage personal and social networks (e.g. family, friends)
– How to prepare a CV and cover letter
– How to make realistic plans to apply for jobs every week and track progress
– Self-efficacy exercises to know how to cope with unsuccessful applications