Get hands-on experience
A career in youth work is an opportunity to support young people and help shape their lives.
The Top Blokes Traineeship Program – supported by Ronald Geoffrey Arnott Foundation – is your gateway.
Youth work is rewarding and fun – but it can also be challenging. That’s why we created the Traineeship Program to meaningfully support young adults looking to gain the practical skills and qualifications to make a real impact on the lives of young people.
Skills and Impact
The lowdown
Gain a Cert IV in Youth Work while you work directly with boys and young men across schools and community groups. Earn while you learn through real-world experience in a supportive and fun culture, all while being supported by expert guidance from our team.
Meet Trainee Hayden
from Participant to Mentor
Through the 18-week program, Hayden discovered his own potential and the power of having someone believe in you. “I realised people saw something in me I didn’t see in myself,” he shared.
Now, as a Top Blokes Trainee Youth Worker, Hayden is on the other side of the workshop circle. His path from participant to mentor reflects the organisation’s mission: to empower young men to become positive leaders in their communities.
I’m keen, What’s Next?
Applications for the 2024 Traineeship program are now closed.
Sign up to our newsletter to find out when 2025 applications will open or email [email protected] to express your interest.
Top Blokes newsWhy the school-to-work transition is a time of difficulty for young men
11 November 2025
The leap from school to the workplace can be exciting — but for many young men, it’s also one of the most challenging times of their lives. Research shows 75 percent of mental health conditions emerge before 24, and early work experiences can shape confidence, belonging, and wellbeing for years to come*. We chat with […]
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In the mediaAaron Speaks to ABC Newcastle on the “Man Box” and What Boys Really Need
11 November 2025
Yesterday, our Greater Hunter Regional Coordinator Aaron joined ABC Newcastle to unpack the latest Adolescent Man Box Study by Jesuit Social Services. The study explores the pressures boys face to appear “strong, tough and confident” at all times – and the impact this has on their wellbeing, friendships and relationships. The study found that two-thirds […]
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Top Blokes newsBoys, masculinity and hope: What the new Man Box study shows us
6 November 2025
A new national study by Jesuit Social Services on boys and masculinity has sparked important conversation across schools, families and communities. The Adolescent Man Box Study surveyed 1,400 adolescents of all genders aged 14–18 and discovered that young Australian people overwhelmingly believe there is pressure on boys to appear strong, confident and tough at all […]
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