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Build Your Future with PAYRISE

Gain real work experience, develop work-ready skills, and progress through a structured pathway into paid employment, apprenticeships or enterprise.

Start Your PAYRISE Journey

The PAYRISE System

1. Register & Assessment

Complete an initial assessment to identify your goals, strengths and readiness level.

2. Level 1 - PAYRISE Program

Build work-ready capability through structured training, mindset development and real-world exposure via our PAYRISE Program.

3. Level 2 - PAYRISE Apprenticeship

Step into supervised PAYRISE Crews or structured industry placements with ongoing support and accountability.

4. Level 3 - PAYRISE Enterprise

Step into entrepreneurship, leadership pathways and long-term career advancement.

Kopupine

“PAYRISE turned my potential into progress. I’m employed at WAYFYNDERS East, moving into PAYRISE Level 2 and 3 with the PAYRISE Events Crew, and building my beauty business.”

 

Rydah.

“After struggling to secure employment interviews, I completed Level 1 and progressed into Level 2 with a paid PAYRISE Ground Crew apprenticeship.”

 

Hazel

“PAYRISE empowered me to step out of my comfort zone and take initiative after completing Level 1. I was then able to progress into paid word at WAYFYNDERS East Cafe & Events.”

 

Featured Youth

Building Futures, Not Just Jobs.

Every Featured Youth story reflects growth in confidence, capability, and opportunity. PAYRISE supports progression into paid work, leadership, and enterprise through a structured pathway.

YOUTH Benefits

1. Real Work

Supervised placements that build capability and credibility.

2. Real Progression

A structured pathway into paid roles, apprenticeships or enterprise.

3. Real Opportunity

Support to grow your income, indpendence and long-term future.

Research that shapes our work

Youth Employment Insights

Preparing all young people for satisfying and rewarding working lives Long-Term Insights Briefing

New Zealand Government, 2023

Big Picture Shift

Youth employment needs to move beyond “getting a job” into creating satisfying and meaningful pathways that fit identity, aspirations, and wellbeing.

Key Insights
  • Schools and vocational training often leave gaps between learning and real-world application.
  • Employers want work-ready skills (communication, resilience, adaptability).
  • Youth need holistic supports (wellbeing, financial literacy, housing, cultural identity) to sustain employment.
  • Partnership approach: success comes when government, employers, and community organisations (like WAYFYNDERS through PAYRISE) co-design opportunities with young people.
Read Full Article

🔗 Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

NEET (not in education, employment or training) Trial services evaluation

Ministry of Social Development. 2019

Relevance

NEET youth face multiple barriers (mental health, transport, lack of ID, housing, whānau obligations).

What Works

  • Navigator / mentor model – consistent relationships help youth build trust and confidence.

  • Practical, flexible support is key: driver’s licenses, bank accounts, CV help, interview prep.

  • Community-based delivery works better than top-down training models.

  • Youth value short, practical learning + work placements more than long classroom-style courses.

This supports PAYRISE’s hands-on, real-world delivery as the differentiator from standard vocational programmes.

Read Full Article

🔗 Ministry of Social Development

State of the Nation 2025 | Kai, Kāinga, Whānau - The Basics - Food, a Home, Family

Salvation Army, 2025

Current Youth Context
  • Youth unemployment and underemployment remain high, especially for Māori and Pasifika.
  • Cost of living pressures are affecting youth wellbeing and participation in training/study.
  • Housing insecurity and poverty are major barriers for young people entering the workforce.
Key Callouts
  • The system needs better transitions from school to work.
  • Youth programmes must focus on both skills and wraparound supports.
  • There’s a need for pathways into meaningful, future-focused work (tech, green jobs, community services).

This validates PAYRISE’s emphasis on real work + wellbeing + identity support.

Read Full Article

🔗 Salvation Army

Ready to Start Your PAYRISE Journey?

Take the first step into a structured pathway that prepares you for real work, paid roles and long-term career progression.

Start Your PAYRISE Journey