The City of Hume, located in the north-west of Melbourne, is characterised by strong community connections and a local council that is embedded in a range of groups that support its residents with employment, education and training. As number of collaborative networks already existed in the region, including the Hume Jobs and Skills Taskforce, early discussions between BSL and the council were essential to ensure alignment with existing efforts and to avoid duplication. Key to these conversations was a respect for the local area and an understanding that existing models couldn’t just be replicated but instead needed to complement and connect what was already happening in place.
Building alignment and trust
Through open and respectful dialogue, BSL and the council worked together to identify gaps in the existing landscape of networks. They recognised that a CIC focusing specifically on youth employment could complement existing efforts rather than compete with them. The CIC was formed as a youth-specific, grassroots working group of the existing Jobs and Skills Taskforce, feeding into broader employment policy conversations in Hume. By clearly defining its focus, the CIC was able to establish its unique role within the broader system.
Regular feedback between the CIC and the Hume Jobs and Skills Taskforce strengthened system connections, ensuring new initiatives were informed by and contributed to existing strategies. Council’s existing role as an intermediary between employers and employment services helped shape the CIC’s collaborative approach to employer engagement. Rather than duplicating employer outreach, BSL and Hume City Council co-designed a partnership model that built on the council’s networks and capacity: an ‘employment facilitator’ role is now shared between both organisations.
Collaboration in practice
This partnership evolved into a co-leadership model, with both organisations sharing responsibility for the CIC’s coordination. The council’s enduring role in the community positioned it as a sustainable anchor for the CIC beyond the TtW program. While there were initial challenges in navigating roles and responsibilities, transparency, open communication and mutual trust became defining features of the partnership. Both organisations’ commitment to the national policy conversation around youth employment, through its connection to the NYEB, and their willingness to adapt to new ideas reflected a shared commitment to community-led problem solving.
The co-leads of the Hume CIC share their tips for an enduring and active CIC in the NYEB Community Investment Committee Practice Guide.