Amie Baard has been helping the first 19 who have enrolled with hometown passion and promises more of the same to those who follow.

One of six youth employment specialists appointed at South Coast locations, Ms Baard is providing intensive pre-employment support to improve the work readiness of a group half comprised of young women and half young men.

“I can give them the individualised one-on-one extra attention they haven’t been getting,” Ms Baard said.

Video: Ms Baard grew up in Ulladulla: 

Fortnightly appointments are open to job seekers aged 16 to 21.

“They need an appointment but so far we’ve been successful in engaging once that’s set up,” she said.

“Some want help to develop their job readiness, others are keen to study something other than school, like TAFE online.

“They’re responding positively.”

With 10 years’ experience away, interacting with young people, Ms Baard has worked for employment agencies, headspace and Anglicare’s Family Outreach and Youth, a young carers program.

She recognises the constrictions of a small seasonal town economy.

On Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays the Youth Centre on St Vincents Street is open for over-18s to drop in between 2.30pm and 3.00pm and for under-18s between 3.00pm and 5.00pm.

The other five caseworkers were hired to work at Nowra, Vincentia, Batemans Bay, Moruya and Bega.

All six will focus on helping young people understand what is expected in the workplace and on helping them to develop the skills, attitudes and behaviour employers look for.

South Coast Program Manager for Mission Australia which runs Ulladulla Youth Centre, Elizabeth O’Connell, hopes Ms Baard and the other new recruits can help address the scarring effects of longer term unemployment that affects health and reduces prospects for future jobs.