At ThinkPlace NZ | Wāhi Whakaaro, we believe that designing for impact means designing with people. This year, YEA (Youth Employability Aotearoa) engaged us to tackle one of Aotearoa’s most pressing challenges: youth employment. ThinkPlace has taken YEA on a co-design journey to create tools, partnerships, and system-level shifts that empower rangatahi and strengthen the future workforce. 

This blog brings together insights from two workshops we facilitated for YEA, each focused on a different but connected piece of the puzzle. 

Background 

Youth employment is more than a job—it’s about dignity, belonging, and opportunity. Yet, barriers remain: 

• The unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 19 is 22.3% 

• Nearly half of disabled young Kiwis are NEETs (not in education, employment, or training) 

We share YEA’s vision: To enhance youth employment and co-create better futures for future generations. 

Workshop 1: Designing the Good Youth Employer Tool 

The Challenge 

How can businesses become better employers of young people? We focused on induction, a critical moment that shapes confidence, belonging, and retention. 

“How might we encourage businesses and organisations to be good employers of young people—with a focus on induction?” 

The core purpose of the YEA Good Youth Employer Project 2025 is to gain a profound understanding of the needs, motivations, and aspirations of young people in the workplace. By engaging directly with both young employees and employers, the project aims to bridge the gap between expectations and experiences, fostering a more inclusive and supportive employment environment. The ultimate goal is to equip employers with a practical and accessible resource that enables them to create workplaces where all young people can thrive. 

The Approach 

Following a six-month discovery phase, the report reflects the journey undertaken, celebrating the diverse voices and insightful contributions that have shaped the project’s direction.  We then facilitated a full day co-design workshop with the YEA project leads. The process included whakawhanaungatanga, discovery insights, ideation, prototyping, and feedback. 

Key Outcomes 

Two standout prototypes emerged: 

1) You(th) Matters Chatbot – An AI-powered platform offering real-time advice and best-practice guidance for employers and young employees.

2) Start Smart Induction Tool – Designed specifically to support employers, particularly SMEs, in effectively onboarding and engaging their young employees. Inspired by the MBIE Employment Agreement Builder, it will offer a straightforward, step-by-step guide to help ensure new young workers are set up for success from the start. Grounded in the guiding principles of this project, this prototype will thoughtfully incorporate tikanga, particularly reflecting the intentions embedded in pōwhiri.

Other creative ideas included induction packs grounded in tikanga, storytelling tools amplifying youth voices, and a digital resource hub tailored to different industries. 

The YEA Good Youth Employer Project 2025 stands as a testament to collaborative effort and a deep commitment to improving the landscape of youth employment in Aotearoa.  

Workshop 2: Reimagining Partnerships for System-Level Change 

The Challenge 

For youth employment solutions to be successful in the workplace, they require collaboration across sectors. ThinkPlace facilitated a workshop for YEA and their partners that explored: 

“How might we co-create a guide that enhances relationships and partnerships (NFP/industry) within the youth employment space—and what needs to shift at a systems level?” 

The Approach 

Supported by the Todd Foundation, YEA convened NFP leaders, industry representatives, and youth advocates. ThinkPlace led a process, including Future trends, horizon scanning, empathy mapping through personas, ideation for a partnership guide, and systems-level thinking. 

Key Outcomes 

Ideas for the Partnership Guide included: 

• Relationship Building Toolkit – practical steps for initiating and sustaining partnerships. 

• Shared Value Canvas – aligning social impact with business objectives. 

• Proposal & Activation Guide – templates for co-creating initiatives. 

Systems-level shifts identified: 

1. Structural Change – consistent career services, social procurement policies, embedding practice beyond policy. 

1. Relational Change – flattening hierarchies, cultural competency, moving beyond financial arrangements. 

1. Transformative Change – shifting mindsets from “us vs them” to reciprocal relationships, valuing intergenerational teams. 

The Impact 

The workshop sparked new connections and a shared commitment to action. Next steps include validating the guide, activating partnerships through YEA and CATE networks, and building a roadmap for implementation in 2026. 

Why It Matters? 

Youth employment isn’t just an economic issue—it’s a social imperative. When businesses, NFPs, and communities collaborate, they create pathways for rangatahi to thrive, strengthen whānau, and future-proof our workforce. System-level change ensures these efforts aren’t one-off projects but part of a sustainable, inclusive, connected and collaborative ecosystem.

“ThinkPlace partnership approach exemplifies a deep commitment to designing with people—listening to diverse voices, understanding complex challenges, and co-creating practical, culturally grounded initiatives. Their expertise in co-design, systems thinking, and facilitation was instrumental in developing our innovative tools and strategies to improve youth employment in Aotearoa.” – Emma Godwin, Director, YEA (Youth Employability Aotearoa)

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who contributed their insights and energy. Together with YEA, we’re co-creating better futures for young people—and for Aotearoa. 

👉 Learn more about the Good Youth Employer Project »