Support for
Employers of youth graduates
Youth graduates are young people aged 18-24 who have graduated from a Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) course.
Skills learnt on LSV help prepare youth to enter the workforce with confidence in their abilities.
Creating new employment pathways
Youth graduates are primed for employment, armed with self-discipline, new employability(external link) skills, and a fresh outlook. Youth Graduates generally have improved teamwork, self-management, resilience, communication and thinking skills. By employing a Youth Graduate, you are bringing these skills into your workforce.
Trainees develop confidence and teamwork in a range of environments
Limited Service Volunteer (LSV) Course
LSV is a six-week course for 18-24 year olds, run by the New Zealand Defence Force in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, with a focus on developing skills for the workforce. Trainees take part in a range of group and individual activities that develop teamwork, motivation, self-discipline and self-confidence, and they gain various qualifications.
Gaining employment
Finding employment or taking on study are the next steps after graduating from an LSV course. As a potential employee, Youth Graduates come to work with:
- Six weeks intensive training in life and employability(external link) skills
- Qualifications such as a first aid certificate, NZQA standards and their drivers licence
- A high degree of motivation
- A positive attitude
- A willingness to learn and put their new skills to work
Building stronger communities
Youth graduates complete their course with a sense of pride in their accomplishments, a commitment to work well in teams and a fresh enthusiasm to serve their community. Graduates have put themselves forward for an intensive opportunity to receive high quality leadership and mentorship. They've been through a programme of lectures, workshops and physical activities designed and tested to develop core values of commitment, camaraderie, courage and integrity, and they're ready to apply those skills in your workplace.
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Youth trainees have a full schedule
LSV courses are a live in, six week course held at New Zealand Defence Force bases in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Trainees live in barracks, develop life skills, exercise regularly, enhance employability(external link) and work ready skills like CV writing, first aid and driver licensing. Trainees wake up at 5:30am and have a full schedule until lights out at 10pm. LSV course graduates demonstrate a high level of resilience, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.
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Trainees learn beneficial life and work skills
Electing to join an LSV course represents valuable attributes of dedication, commitment and perseverance. Your new employee, or potential employee, has chosen to take a step to learn new skills, get to know more about who they are, what they want to do and what it takes to get there. When a trainee graduates from LSV, they're ready to work, continue learning and to make a positive contribution to your business and community. LSV graduates have learnt to value teamwork, they're motivated and they have respect for others.
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I'm interested in LSV, can I contribute?
Yes! Every LSV course has a patron, your employee will remember theirs. Patrons for each six week course come from around New Zealand. They are passionate individuals and business people who want to support young people in New Zealand with development advice or connections for employment. Patrons are invited to join the New Zealand Defence Force Youth Development Unit (YDU) at specific points during training to offer insights, wisdom and a listening ear.
Check out this past patron's perspective:
“Being the Patron of a LSV programme has been an extremely humbling experience and has given me a deeper appreciation of the hardships some of our young people are experiencing. I was able to experience what the young people were doing in the course and having someone they can look up to going through the same challenges is a good way for them to see leaders in our society caring and wanting to see them grow. They rose to the challenges they were faced with and by pushing themselves in the structured and supportive environment they’re able to experience accomplishment and seeing the self-confidence in the trainees rise as a result, makes me proud. The course structure allows the young people to take this new felt self-confidence and transform it to purpose so they knew how to positively contribute to whatever they want to do in their lives. This is where the value for New Zealand is growing and providing purpose for our biggest asset, our people. The change cannot be underestimated and it’s inspiring to be able to contribute to the growth of our young people”. (Past patron, Course date: 2019)
Interested in keeping up to date with past patrons and LSV programmes? Get on the mailing by emailing; ydu.patron@nzdf.mil.nz
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Can I recruit LSV graduates directly?
Yes! LSV programmes are held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Every programme offers the opportunity to meet trainees. Employer expos are also held, giving your business the chance to recruit LSV graduates directly.