Professor Jo Barraket AM and Hannah Figueroa at a Community Fellows Program celebration event in July 2024.
The Community Fellows Program is a wonderful opportunity to undertake research in an environment that is both intellectually rigorous and truly supportive of us folk working in small for-purpose organisations. Hannah Figueroa, Good Cycles
Hannah Figueroa, Impact Evaluation Lead at Good Cycles, joined the Melbourne Social Equity Institute's Community Fellows Program in February 2023 as part of the program's fifth cohort. Good Cycles is a not-for-profit social enterprise focused on creating jobs for young people facing barriers to employment.
Hannah's fellowship explored the labour market experiences of young people engaged in Good Cycles’ Youth Employment Program. She examined the individual, structural and systemic factors shaping young people's decisions around employment pathways and engaging in work, as well as their perspectives on the future of work.
Hannah's project case study report was launched in August 2024 as part of a roundtable discussion focused on the role social enterprise and business can play in breaking down employment barriers for young people.
The case study covers three key areas:
- Drivers behind youth unemployment: understanding underemployment and weak participation in the labour market experienced by marginalised young people.
- Engaging our youth: the needs and reasons for engaging in work among young people working at Good Cycles.
- The future of work: creating ‘green’ inclusive and sustainable jobs for young people.
On being part of the Community Fellow Program, Hannah said:
Through the Community Fellows Program, you are given the time, space and resources to do the much-needed critical thinking into the work you do and why. The research that I was able to generate through the Program has given my organisation, Good Cycles, access to the evidence base on the labour market experiences of marginalised young people whom we create employment opportunities for; evidence as to what quality, meaningful employment means to them, and has given us an improved ability to advocate more effectively on the issues that are of significance for marginalised young jobseekers.
Throughout her Fellowship Hannah was mentored by Professor Jo Barraket AM, Melbourne Social Equity Institute's Director and an internationally recognised leader in social enterprise and social innovation research.
Reflecting on her role as an Academic Mentor, Jo says:
It was terrific supporting Hannah in her research for Good Cycles as we have shared interests in inclusive employment and social enterprise. Hannah’s work was thoughtful and rigorous. It has clearly been of value to her organisation, as well as being useful to others involved in work with and for young people facing barriers to employment.
To access a copy of the case study report or to watch a recording of the roundtable discussion, please visit the Good Cycles website.
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