Kick Start

The PAYCE Foundation is passionate about supporting young people to reach their potential, including youth at risk.

The 2016 Census puts youth unemployment (people aged 15-24 years) at 13.3 per cent, more than double the unemployment rate. In lower socioeconomic areas, youth unemployment can be as high as 30-40 per cent.

In response to this significant social problem, the PAYCE Foundation established the social enterprise Kick Start.

A hospitality-based social enterprise, Kick Start operates a fleet of mobile cafes on construction sites around Sydney and provides training and employment opportunities to local youth. Kick Start aims to partner with developers, builders, industry stakeholders and community organisations to deliver positive social outcomes through jobs and training for young people from social housing and disadvantaged backgrounds.

During their employment with Kick Start, trainees participate in a six-month program that includes practical on-the-job training, formal qualifications in hospitality and one-on-one support building life skills to help them succeed in the future.

Kick Start is operated directly by the PAYCE Foundation. Unlike our other partnerships where we provide support to existing enterprises, this initiative was the brainchild of the Foundation.

PAYCE established Kick Start in 2014 as part of a social housing renewal project undertaken in partnership with the NSW government at Riverwood in Sydney’s south-west.

The project started as a single worksite canteen aimed at addressing the high rates of youth unemployment in the area.

Since then, Kick Start has grown into a multifaceted social enterprise operating mobile cafes, catering and event services, and providing training and employment opportunities for young people at risk. Over the past 12 months, by extending the reach and capacity of the program, Kick Start has been able to double trainee positions.