Vocational Mentoring Exchange (VME)

Established in 2020, this unique resource for Melbourne’s inner north encompasses four streams of school and community-based vocational mentoring, and a regional youth mentoring network.
This bank of passionate volunteers, with incredibly diverse working lives and lived experience, support young people’s (16-25 yrs) transition to further education, training or employment.

Why Vocational Mentoring?

Vocational mentoring is a key support in career exploration and job-seeking for all young people, but especially for those who are socially/economically less advantaged.
Vocational mentoring can help young people with lower social capital learn about the workplace, clarify their aspirations, extend their networks, build confidence and communication skills, and help find work opportunities.
Like their mentees, mentors also gain a wealth of experience, skills, confidence and connections.

How does it work?

VME is coordinated by the Inner Northern LLEN who recruit, screen, train and support volunteer vocational mentors.

The Exchange works closely with our fabulous school and community partners to embed vocational mentoring in the new VCE Vocational Major curriculum (Year 11/12 students) and community-based vocational programs for young people aged 18-25 years.

Our passionate volunteers work in small groups or 1:1 with mentees, and in partnership with their school or community organisation during their 10-12 week program.