A fresh start to find pathways to employment

LSV Course Limited Service Volunteer

By Missy Limu-Franklin (LSV Work Broker)

Get a fresh start to find your pathway to employment.

LSV is a voluntary and free 6-week training course. It’s run by New Zealand Defence Force and supported by people wanting to work with youth, including Police.

Historically looked at as a “Boot Camp”, LSV has evolved into a confidence boosting, motivational live-in course where trainees make friends for life and experiences that take them out of their comfort zones.

The course is open to youth aged 18-24 years old, but those aged 17 years are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applications are managed through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and youth are prepped and supported prior to starting the course.

All required clothing and gear is either provided at camp, or funded by MSD so trainees are not digging into their own pockets to attend. Each day is different. You’ll do a range of activities every day, including the weekends.

These could include people coming to talk to you about different life skills, taking part in physical activities, working together in a team, employers speaking to you about: what they look for when employing someone and job opportunities.

Fitness training will be a regular activity. It will start off easy and gradually build up to be more challenging. Everyone will be at a different fitness level but, as a team, youth support and encourage each other through the activities.

www.facebook.com/LSVCanterbury

Youth come from across New Zealand to attend the course, but generally they will go to the closest camp to them:

Auckland – Whenuapai Camp Wellington – Trentham Camp Christchurch – Burnham Camp. Trainees graduate in front of friends and family which is also livestreamed on the LSV Facebook page for those unable to make the trip to camp.

A sense of pride is felt across the Parade Ground while graduates are presented Course Awards, speeches from Defence Staff and their Course Patron.

An idea of what youth do in a day Time Activity

5.30am Wake up, get ready for the day 6.30am Breakfast and morning routine 8am Adventure course 10.15am Life skills 12pm Lunch 1pm Job skills 3pm Meet employers 5pm Dinner 6pm Cultural training 7pm Night routine/ personal time 10pm Lights out

Here’s what some LSV Graduates have to say about the course:

“LSV gave me the motivation to use my newfound confidence to apply for a job”

– Lexie

“LSV has taught me an immense amount of life skills which comes into play at work, and everyday life.”

– Sophie

“My time at LSV brought out my full potential in everything I do, and now I utilize that in my workplace.”

- Tyler