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Finding an inclusive and understanding employer/workplace is a barrier often experienced by trans and diverse young people. Sadly, 1 in 3 trans and gender diverse people experience stigma and discrimination in the workplace. Let alone the ‘hidden’ discrimination, like getting turned down for a job opportunity because of your gender identity.

On top of all of that is the fact that young, queer folks are 5 times more likely to experience anxiety due to these experiences and 12 times more likely to experience depression due to harassment (RACI. 2020).

As a young, trans person, all Jordan wanted was to work somewhere she felt safe, and away from any discrimination. When she saw people like her, and the genuine diversity and inclusiveness of the teams at Youth Projects she signed up to participate in Block 1 of our Employability Skills Training (EST) to see if it could expose her to workplaces just like Youth Projects.

“There's always so many different, often conflicting, pieces of advice when it comes to writing CVs and Resumes. EST was a great opportunity for me to take the advice given for these documents and rework them to better sell my skills and experience to employers…The focus and time spent on teaching about workers’ rights and award rates etc. is super important and time well spent!”

Through EST, Jordan was exposed to an inclusive learning environment, as well as a range of LGBTQIA+ resources and supports. As part of our commitment to inclusion (and being a queer friendly organisation), we also provide all EST participants (and their jobactive consultants) with access to gender inclusive language and Pronouns 101 training.

Jordan’s Youth Coach went the extra mile to provide tailored support with applying for Working with Children’s & Police Checks, navigating government services like Medicare, Centrelink and MyGov, through the process of legally changing her name via Service Victoria.

“Using a dead name, can be triggering and re-traumatising for transgender and gender diverse people. The process (and cost of) changing names is also a huge barrier for trans and gender diverse young people. This often means young people are forced to continue using their dead name when completing legal documents and prevents them from moving forward in their personal journey.” shared Jordan’s Youth Coach.

During the EST program, participants got to hear from The Little Social’s Manager (as part of the industry guest speaker series) and shared the current training and volunteering opportunities currently available across the café network, including a paid Barista role. 

After completing the EST program, Jordan applied and interviewed for a role at The Little Social. Throughout the interview and reference check process, Jordan said she felt very supported and comfortable and was “keen to work for such an inclusive organisation.” 

Since January, Jordan has been working as a Café All Rounder at The Little Social, and her team have nothing but great feedback about her – “[she] is doing a fantastic job!! We are really excited to have her as part of The Little Social team”.

“Gaining employment has made a really big difference to me. With returning to university only a few weeks away now, being able to have much more income stability allows me to focus on that so much more, and in turn hopefully able to get a lot more out of it!

It's also been really good for my confidence and settling into this new job has been a great way for me to build up my self-belief after spending so long between phases of my life.”

The emotional and financial barriers faced by young, LGBTQIA+ people continue to prevent them from being their true selves. Help us create positive pathways and brighter futures for young people like Jordan by donating today.

*We've used a pseudo name and image out of respect for keeping this person's identity private