How to Gain Work Experience (and Turn It Into a Job)

Getting your foot in the door of the job market can feel like a classic catch-22: employers want to hire people with experience, but you need someone to hire you to get that experience. As one frustrated jobseeker put it, “You need experience to get a job. But also, you need a job to gain experience.” This dilemma is especially common for young people with disabilities transitioning from school to work. The good news is there are ways to break this cycle. By being proactive – through volunteering, internships or work placements, traineeships, and apprenticeships – you can gain valuable work experience and leverage it into paid employment. In this guide, we’ll explore practical pathways for building experience, show how they develop your skills, and explain how to turn those experiences into a job. We’ll also highlight how Next Gen Youth Employment can help you every step of the way in your journey.

Breaking the “Experience Paradox” for Youth with Disabilities

For many young Australians with disabilities, the “experience paradox” can be daunting. You might be a recent school leaver eager to work, only to find entry-level jobs asking for previous work history or specific skills you haven’t had the chance to develop yet. It’s an unfair loop, but it can be overcome. In fact, research shows that getting involved in work or career experiences during secondary school is a key indicator of later employment success for students with disability. In other words, any real-world exposure – even if it’s unpaid or part of a programme – will boost your chances of landing a paying job later on.

That’s why initiatives like Next Gen Youth Employment focus on building skills and confidence through real-world experience. At Next Gen, we help young people step into inclusive workplaces for hands-on experience, so they can prepare for the future with confidence. Every bit of experience, whether through a volunteer role, a short-term internship, or a structured traineeship, helps bridge the gap between school and the working world. Let’s look at some of the best pathways to gain that experience.

Volunteering: Build Skills, Confidence and Your Resume

Volunteering is one of the most accessible ways to gain work experience. By volunteering your time for a cause or organisation, you’re not only giving back to the community – you’re also building yourself up for the workforce. Volunteer work can be incredibly valuable for young people with disabilities, because it allows you to learn workplace skills in a supportive environment and prove your abilities. Think of it as training for the world of paid work, without the pressure of a formal job.

A young volunteer gains hands-on experience in a supportive workplace. Volunteering in the community helps build real-world skills, confidence, and a track record you can show employers.

Volunteering offers practical experience and teaches you transferable skills that employers love. Through any volunteer role – whether it’s helping at a charity shop, assisting at a community event, or mentoring younger students – you can develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, interpersonal abilities, problem-solving, conflict resolution, time management, and reliability. These are core skills that almost every employer looks for. The best part is that you’ll have concrete examples to talk about on your resume and in job interviews. For instance, if you volunteered at a community centre and helped organise activities, you’ve shown teamwork, planning, and communication skills in action.

Beyond the technical or “hard” skills, volunteering also helps build your confidence and independence. Being in a volunteer position means adapting to a schedule, interacting with team members and the public, and taking on responsibilities – all of which can boost your self-esteem and work readiness. Many NDIS participants find that this kind of work experience builds confidence and life skills, making the transition to paid work much easier. You might start out feeling unsure of yourself, but after a few weeks on the job you’ll likely notice you’re more comfortable communicating with others, problem-solving issues that come up, and handling workplace routines.

How to find volunteer opportunities? Start with your interests and local community. Consider causes you care about (animals, environment, sports, arts, helping others, etc.) and look for organisations in that space. You can search online on volunteer matching platforms (like GoVolunteer or Seek Volunteer) or check out local community centres, charities, sports clubs, or libraries. Often, school career counsellors or disability support groups can suggest volunteer roles suited to your abilities and goals. Don’t hesitate to ask – people are usually happy to welcome volunteers and will find a way to include you. Programmes like Next Gen’s School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) can also connect you with volunteering gigs as part of building your experience plan. The aim is to get you out there, trying things and learning on the job. Even a few hours a week can make a big difference.

When volunteering, treat it professionally so you get the most out of it. Show up on time, be reliable with your commitments, and be eager to learn. This not only helps you develop good work habits but also leaves a positive impression on the people you work with. Volunteering demonstrates initiative, dedication and community spirit – qualities that will shine on your resume. Employers do take notice of volunteer experience. In fact, many hiring managers value it almost as much as paid work, because it shows you are motivated and have real-world practice. Volunteering can even help fill gaps on your resume if you haven’t worked before, giving you something solid to talk about in applications.

Lastly, remember that volunteering can open doors. It expands your network – you meet supervisors, co-workers and community members who can become valuable contacts. These folks can potentially act as referees (references) for you, vouching for your skills and work ethic when you go for paid jobs. They may even alert you to job openings or introduce you to others who are hiring. Many paid jobs start with someone knowing someone – and volunteering helps you get known. So, approach your volunteer role with enthusiasm and make an effort to connect with people. You never know where it might lead.

Tip: Keep a record of your volunteer work (dates, tasks, achievements). Later, you can highlight specific accomplishments – for example, “Volunteered 5 hours/week at XYZ Op Shop, sorted donations and assisted 50+ customers weekly” – to show concrete experience. By volunteering, you prove that you can show up, contribute, and learn on the job, which goes a long way towards convincing an employer to give you a chance.

Internships and Work Placements for Youth with Disabilities

Internships, work experience placements, and work trials are another excellent pathway to gain meaningful experience. These opportunities are typically more structured than casual volunteering and often directly related to a career field or industry you’re interested in. An internship or work placement could be arranged through your school, TAFE, university, or a community programme – or you might apply for one with a company that offers internships. Some internships are paid (especially if they’re longer-term or part of a formal programme), while others might be unpaid but still valuable for learning. Either way, the goal is to learn on the job and make professional connections, which can greatly improve your chances of getting hired later.

For young people with disabilities, there are special programmes and supports to help you find internships or placements. In Australia, one notable initiative is Ticket to Work, a programme that connects students with disability to workplace opportunities as they transition from school. Ticket to Work partners with schools, employers and disability services to set up things like school-based work experiences, part-time jobs, or traineeships for students in their final years. This collaborative approach has had outstanding results – participants in Ticket to Work are three times more likely to be in employment compared to other young people with disability. It shows how powerful a bit of real-world experience can be. The programme grew out of research indicating that having work experiences during secondary school is a key predictor of getting a job after school. Even if you’re not part of Ticket to Work specifically, the takeaway is clear: seek out any internship or placement you can during high school or soon after, because it can jump-start your career.

Next Gen Youth Employment can assist with this process too. Through Next Gen’s NDIS-funded SLES programme, we work one-on-one with you to find suitable work experience opportunities and even arrange supported internships or work trials in inclusive workplaces. We partner with various employers who are open to giving young people a chance to learn on the job. These placements might be short-term rotations or longer internships where you go in a few days a week. The idea is to immerse you in a real work environment relevant to your interests – whether that’s an office, a retail store, a tech lab, a café, a library, or any field you want to explore. This helps you figure out what you enjoy and what support needs you might have, all while gaining experience you can put on your CV.

When you land an internship or work experience placement, treat it as a professional audition. This is your chance to show an employer what you can do. Be enthusiastic, ask questions, and show willingness to learn new skills. Even if it’s unpaid or just for school credit, act like it’s a real job – because if you impress them, it could become a real job. Many companies use internships as a way to find future employees. They often hire from their pool of interns or work experience students if positions open up. At the very least, you can walk away with new skills and a good reference letter.

Also, don’t be afraid to request accommodations or supports you need during an internship. Most employers are happy to make reasonable adjustments (like physical accessibility, flexible hours, or assistive tech) to enable you to learn. This not only helps you succeed, it also educates the workplace on how to be inclusive – which benefits everyone.

To find internships or placements, utilise all your resources. Check if your school has a career coordinator who arranges work experience programmes for students with disabilities. Many Australian schools have partnerships with local businesses specifically for students to do short work placements. If you’re in TAFE or uni, see if they have a disability support service or career office that can link you with internships (for example, some unis have internship programmes for students on the autism spectrum, etc.). You can also search online job boards for internships and look at corporate websites (some larger companies have diversity internship programmes or graduate programmes with affirmative hiring for people with disabilities). Finally, reach out to community organisations and disability employment services – programmes like Next Gen and Ticket to Work can play matchmaker between you and a willing employer. Remember, asking for an opportunity to learn is never wrong; it shows initiative. Even if a company doesn’t have a formal internship advertised, you can sometimes arrange a work experience week or observation day just by contacting them and explaining your goals.

One more tip: Take advantage of any networking events or mentoring programmes for youth with disabilities. Sometimes meeting a professional in your field of interest can lead to a shadowing opportunity or informal internship. For example, a mentor you meet through a disability networking event might invite you to observe their workplace or help out on a project, which counts as experience.

Traineeships and Apprenticeships: Pathways to Skilled Careers

If you’re looking for a more structured path that combines learning and earning, consider a traineeship or apprenticeship. These are formal programmes where you work in a paid job while undertaking training (often a certificate or trade qualification). Apprenticeships are common in skilled trades (like carpentry, electrical, plumbing, automotive) and typically take 3-4 years, resulting in a trade qualification. Traineeships are similar but usually in non-trade sectors (like business administration, IT, childcare, healthcare, etc.) and can be shorter (1-2 years). Both options are fantastic for young people who learn best by doing and want a clear route to a career. You’ll gain hands-on experience from day one and earn a wage, all while working towards a recognised qualification.

For youth with disabilities in Victoria (Melbourne and beyond), there is strong support to help you succeed in apprenticeships and traineeships. Apprenticeships Victoria, a government initiative, exists to enable “real and rewarding apprenticeships and traineeships for all Victorians,” overseeing programmes that support apprentices, trainees, employers and educators. This means there are resources and possibly special initiatives to help increase participation of people with disabilities in these career pathways. For example, the government may fund diversity programmes or specific disability-focused trainee intakes. It’s worth researching current programmes – you might find a traineeship scheme in a field like community services or tech that is actively recruiting young people with disabilities (sometimes these are run by community organisations or local councils in partnership with the government).

One key support available nationwide is the Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS). DAAWS is a government incentive that helps employers take on apprentices/trainees with disabilities by providing a payment to the employer. In other words, if you have a disability and start an apprenticeship, the government can assist your employer financially, which encourages companies to hire inclusively. The DAAWS scheme also provides funding for extra assistance you might need – for instance, you could get a tutor, mentor, or interpreter to help with the off-the-job training components of your apprenticeship. Knowing this, you can approach potential apprenticeship employers with confidence and even mention that support is available to help make it a win-win.

So, how do you find a traineeship or apprenticeship as a young person with a disability? Here are some steps to consider:

• Explore Industries and Roles: Think about what kind of work you’d enjoy or be good at. Apprenticeships aren’t just in construction and mechanics – these days there are opportunities in IT, design, horticulture, culinary arts, business admin, and more. Traineeships could be in fields like childcare, hospitality, retail, or office work. If you’re unsure, Next Gen can help you explore your strengths and interests through our discovery process. We believe every individual has talents and we help match those to potential careers.
• Contact an Apprenticeship Network Provider: In Australia, Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) providers (such as MEGT, MAS National, ApprentiCentre, etc.) are agencies that help people find and start apprenticeships/traineeships. They can advise you on current openings and guide you through signing up. You can find a local AASN provider and let them know you’re a candidate with disability looking for an apprenticeship – they’ll be aware of supports like DAAWS and can facilitate accommodations if needed. Similarly, Disability Employment Services (DES) providers can assist if you are registered with them, though SLES (for school leavers) might be your first port of call if you’re eligible.
• Use School and Community Channels: If you’re still in school or just finished, ask about school-to-work transition programmes. Some schools in Victoria participate in Head Start or school-based apprenticeships which allow you to begin a traineeship while still completing Year 11 or 12. Also check community organisations or TAFEs – sometimes they run pre-apprenticeship courses or can connect you with Group Training Organisations (GTOs) that hire apprentices and place them with host employers. Next Gen Youth Employment can also guide you here; through our network we may know inclusive employers looking for trainees.
• Apply and Be Open About Your Goals: When applying for an apprenticeship or traineeship, you can disclose (if you feel comfortable) that you have a disability and explain any adjustments that help you work best. Emphasise your enthusiasm and reliability. Employers ultimately want someone who is eager to learn and contribute. Your volunteer and internship experiences can really strengthen your application – they show you have a track record of working hard and overcoming challenges, which can set you apart. Also, mention if you have support – for example, “I’m linked with Next Gen Youth Employment who will provide on-the-job support if I need it” – this can reassure an employer that they’re not alone in helping you succeed.
• Know Your Rights and Supports: Apprentices and trainees are employees, so you have the same workplace rights as anyone else, including a safe work environment and fair pay. Make sure the training contract is formalised through an AASN provider. If you encounter any issues (e.g. need workplace adjustments, or face any discrimination), talk to your support network or contact JobAccess for advice. Remember, there are also Apprenticeship Support Officers in Victoria who specifically assist first-year apprentices with any problems – a resource you can lean on.

Successfully completing an apprenticeship or traineeship will give you both a qualification and typically a permanent job outcome. Most apprentices are retained by their employer upon completion, or if not, the qualification and experience make them very employable elsewhere. You’ll have turned yourself into a skilled worker with real-world experience – a combination that employers actively seek. Even if you later change paths, that foundational work experience is golden for your resume.

From Experience to Employment: Leveraging Your New Skills

Gaining experience is a crucial first step – now how do you turn it into a job? The transition from an unpaid role (or training role) to paid employment isn’t always automatic, but there are clear ways to maximise your chances:

Highlight Your Experience on Your Resume and Cover Letters: Make sure to update your resume to include all that you’ve done – volunteer positions, internships, work placements, school projects, apprenticeships, etc. Emphasise the skills and accomplishments from those experiences, not just the duties. For example, instead of just saying “Volunteered at XYZ Café,” say “Volunteered at XYZ Café – developed customer service skills, handled transactions, and contributed to a 5-person team.” Use strong action words and point to results or praise you received (e.g., “earned a certificate of appreciation for reliable service” or “praised by supervisor for attention to detail”). This helps potential employers see that your experience is relevant and that you’ve made a real impact. In cover letters, you can mention how these experiences confirmed your interest in the field and taught you valuable lessons. A well-crafted application that shows off your volunteer and internship experiences can really set you apart from other youth who perhaps didn’t take those initiatives.

Leverage References and Recommendations: Hopefully, through volunteering and placements, you’ve connected with supervisors or colleagues who can vouch for you. Don’t be shy about asking for a reference letter or contact. A short, positive statement from the manager of the place you volunteered (“Jane is punctual, hardworking, and great with customers…”) can carry a lot of weight for future employers. If you interned somewhere, ask your mentor or supervisor if they’d be willing to be listed as a reference for job applications – most people will gladly support your next step. These references demonstrate to employers that someone has seen your work ethic and skills first-hand, which can tip the scales in your favour when job hunting.

Stay in Touch and Seek Opportunities: If you enjoyed a particular internship or volunteer placement, let them know you’d be interested if any paid positions come up. Sometimes, an organisation might not have an immediate vacancy, but a few months later something opens and because they remember you, you could be first in line. A polite check-in email once in a while can keep you on their radar. Also, use your new network: the people you met might alert you to openings elsewhere. For example, a fellow volunteer might tell you about a job at the company where her brother works, or a supervisor might introduce you to a friend who’s hiring. Many jobs aren’t advertised publicly, so these personal networks are invaluable. Keep building relationships, because as your network grows, so do your opportunities.

Demonstrate Your Skills in Interviews: When you do land an interview, draw on your experiences to answer questions. Rather than hypotheticals, you can say, “In my internship at ABC Company, I learnt to manage my time and meet deadlines – for instance, I successfully completed [X task] by the due date by organising my schedule.” Or, “During my volunteer work at the animal shelter, I often had to problem-solve on the fly, like when we ran low on supplies I helped come up with a quick inventory system”. These real examples show employers that you have practical knowledge and have demonstrated those soft skills like teamwork and problem-solving in real settings. That can really make you stand out compared to someone who only has classroom experience.

Convert Internships/Trials into Job Offers: If you are in an internship or work trial that you wish would turn into a job, be proactive. Ask for feedback on your performance and areas you can improve – this shows maturity and willingness to grow. Let your supervisor know (tactfully) that you love the work and would be interested in any upcoming openings if they felt you were a good fit. Sometimes, companies have entry-level roles or traineeships that they might slot you into if they see your potential. Even if they can’t hire you immediately, expressing interest means they might refer you to another company or keep you in mind for the future. Remember, a lot of hiring is about trust – by proving yourself during the internship, you’ve earned their trust, which can shorten the path to getting hired.

Use Support Services: If you feel stuck or unsure how to move into paid employment, take advantage of support programmes. Next Gen Youth Employment, for example, provides post-placement support – we don’t just drop you after you gain some experience. We continue to help with job search strategies, interview preparation, and linking you to employers who value the experience you’ve gained. There are also disability employment services, mentoring programmes, and government resources (like Centrelink’s programmes or DES) that can offer guidance on job hunting. Sometimes just talking to a mentor or support worker can spark new ideas or opportunities. You’re not alone in this process – it’s okay to ask for help and use all available resources to land that job.

Building a Future Through Experience – Next Gen Can Help

Gaining work experience as a young person with a disability might take effort and time, but each step will bring you closer to your goals. By volunteering in your community, you’ll build confidence and prove your capabilities. By pursuing internships or work placements, you’ll get a taste of different industries and make professional connections. By undertaking traineeships or apprenticeships, you’ll earn qualifications and skills that set you up for long-term success. All these experiences become the foundation on which you can launch a meaningful career. They help you break out of the “no experience, no job” loop and show employers what you can do rather than focusing on what you haven’t done yet.

Remember, real-world experience + support = success. Programmes like Ticket to Work have shown that when young people with disabilities are prepared and supported in real work environments, they thrive – often far exceeding expectations. It’s about getting that opportunity to shine. Next Gen Youth Employment’s mission is exactly that: to help you unlock your potential and achieve your goals by gaining skills in the real world. We connect our participants with work trials, valuable work experience opportunities, and job placements that match their interests and career aspirations. We also work closely with local employers around Melbourne and Victoria to develop inclusive workplaces ready to welcome the Next Gen of talented youth.

Your journey is unique, and we’re here to support it. Whether you need guidance finding a volunteer role, help securing an internship, or want to enrol in our School Leaver Employment Supports programme for a comprehensive transition plan, Next Gen can assist. We believe that with the right experience and support, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. Many of our team members and mentors have been where you are and are passionate about opening doors for others.

Don’t let the lack of experience hold you back – start building it! Every hour volunteered, every skill learnt, and every connection made is an investment in your future. If you’re not sure where to begin or want some personalised advice, reach out to Next Gen Youth Employment. We can work with you one-on-one to create a pathway that’s tailored to you – from your first volunteering stint all the way to landing that dream job.

Contact Next Gen today for more information and assistance. We’re ready to help you gain experience, grow your confidence, and turn those experiences into a rewarding job. Your career journey starts now, and Next Gen is excited to be a part of it!