Real work experience isn’t just about building a resume. It’s about learning what
it’s really like to be in a workplace and how to roll with surprises, speak up
when it matters, work with different people and believe that you’ve got
something valuable to offer.

At Troublesmiths, we care just as much about the skills that help you navigate
life as we do about employability. Through real work, practical coaching and learning by doing, you’ll develop confidence, problem-solving, teamwork,
resilience and integrity. The things that continue to matter long after the
program ends.

 How It Works

 Person-centred: We start by getting
to know you, your goals and what you need to thrive. Whether you’re looking for
your first job, thinking about study or figuring out what comes next, we’ll
work with you to identify where you want to go and what you need to get there.

Learn by doing: You’ll spend time making, creating and working alongside others. You’ll develop
practical workplace skills and learn what it means to be part of a team in an
environment that feels like a real workplace.

Practical support: From goal setting and feedback to working alongside the Troublesmiths crew,
you’ll have people around you who are invested in your development and want to
see you succeed.

 Safe space: Mistakes are part of the process. We value trying, growing, failing forward and pushing through awkward moments. You don’t have to have everything figured out,
you just need to be willing to have a go.

 What's After the Program?

 From Participant to Contributor

For some young people, completing the Work Experience Program is just the
beginning.

Once you’ve completed the program, you may have the opportunity to continue your journey with Troublesmiths through our Volunteer Program. Volunteering is a level up — it’s a chance to take what you’ve learned and put it into practice
with greater independence, responsibility and contribution.

As a Volunteer, you’ll continue developing your workplace skills through regular
shifts in the Troublesmiths Shop. You will build your experience in retail and
customer service, product making, stock and store operations, administration
and teamwork. As your skills and confidence grow, you can take on more
responsibility and become someone that other people can rely on.

But there’s another important part of becoming a Volunteer: you get to help
someone else.

You’ve been the person learning how things work, being shown what to do and having someone believe in you. As a Volunteer, you can start becoming that person for someone else. You can share what you’ve learned, encourage a new Smith when they’re having a crack at something for the first time and show them what’s possible after completing the program.

 A Continuum, Not a Destination

We see the journey from Work Experience to Volunteering as a continuum of development.

You start by being supported. You learn, practise and build confidence. Then, as
you become more capable, you take on greater responsibility and begin contributing to the people around you.

Participant → Contributor → Role Model

The goal isn’t to keep you at Troublesmiths forever. Quite the opposite. We want you to keep moving forward — into employment, education, further training or whatever comes next for you.

Volunteering can happen alongside that journey. A regular shift at the Shop can give you somewhere to continue practising workplace skills while you search for, start or maintain employment. It gives you the opportunity to keep growing without standing still.

And eventually, we want you to leave us better equipped for whatever comes next.

The Ripple Effect

The cool thing about this pathway is that your development doesn't stop with you.

Someone who once helped you find your confidence might have helped you become the person you are today. As a Volunteer, you get the chance to do the same for someone else.

A conversation, a bit of encouragement, showing someone how to do something or simply being someone they can relate to can have a bigger impact than you
realise.

That’s the Troublesmiths ripple effect. You come here to grow, and eventually you get the opportunity to help someone else grow too.

Join the Program

If you’re 15–24, we’d love to have you. Join our waitlist and we’ll reach out with
what’s next — upcoming start dates, what you’ll need and how we can make sure
the program works for you.

And if you complete the program and want to keep going, there may be an opportunity to take the next step and become part of the Troublesmiths Volunteer community.

We also provide 1:1 coaching and other training programs if you want more personalised support. Let us know what you're after — we’re here to help you find the path that fits.