YUF (Youth Up Front)

What YUF (Youth Up Front) does

Youth Up Front (YUF), legally Northern Beaches Business Education Network Incorporated, is a registered Australian charity (ABN 92 047 481 509) operating since 1993 and rebranded to its current name in 2022. The organization delivers youth development, education, career transition, and community engagement programs for young people aged 12-25 across Northern Sydney, spanning from Palm Beach to Mosman, across to Ryde, and up to Galston. Its core programs are organized around four pillars: Student Engagement (targeted support for at-risk Year 7-12 students), Work Placement Support Program (coordinating mandatory VET workplace placements since 1997), Career and Employment Programs (including Connecting Women to Trades and JuniorJob Seeker workshops), and Community Engagement Programs (including The Perch Project cafe social enterprise and Canine Assisted Learning).

The organization operates with approximately 13 staff members, a 200+ host employer network, and partnerships with 30+ secondary schools and 5 TAFE colleges. The flagship Northern Beaches Careers Expo is held annually at Miramare Gardens, Terrey Hills, co-presented with Training Services NSW and the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Underlying technology is minimal and operationally focused: a WordPress website (youthupfront.org.au), HubSpot for referral form data capture, Stripe for payment processing, and an internal Work Placement Support Programme portal hosted at schoolsindustry.com.au. There is no proprietary technology product or AI capability.

Revenue is generated through four streams: government-funded programs (primarily NSW Department of Education and NSW Department of Industry), donations and fundraising activities (tax-deductible via ACNC registration), event sponsorship at the Careers Expo (Platinum $5,000, Gold $3,500, Silver $2,500 plus GST), and exhibitor registration fees ($888-$1,402 per 1.8m space). Strategic partners include NSW government departments, Northern Beaches Council, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Lone Crow Coffee, multiple Chambers of Commerce, and the Workplace Learning Network. Leadership comprises Executive Officer Samantha King (18+ years tenure) and a Board of Management chaired by Lynne Mabb, with representatives from accounting, real estate, law (Dentons), technology (Intuit Australia), and government (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Name

YUF (Youth Up Front)

Legal name

Northern Beaches Business Education Network Incorporated

Website

https://youthupfront.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Youth Up Front is a registered Australian charity delivering youth development, work placement coordination, career transition, and community engagement programs for young people aged 12-25 across Northern Sydney, operating since 1993 with 13 staff and a 200+ employer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Youth & Young Adult Workforce Programs (Out-of-School Youth) (EDAAAOAD), After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Work placement services
• Career education support
• Community engagement programs
• Student wellbeing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Allambie Heights

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Funded Programs: Fee for service and government funded programs as part of their core service delivery model
2. Fundraising Activities: Donations, fundraising events, and community support activities
3. Event Sponsorship: Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsorship packages for the Northern Beaches Careers Expo
4. Exhibitor Registration Fees: Fee-based exhibitor spaces at the annual Careers Expo event

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Youth Up Front is a registered Australian charity that delivers youth development services to young people aged 12-25 across Northern Sydney. Its core offerings span four program pillars: Student Engagement (case management and resilience programs for at-risk Year 7-12 students), Work Placement Support Programme (coordinating mandatory VET workplace placements between schools, TAFE campuses, and 200+ host employers), Employment and Career Programs (Connecting Women to Trades, JuniorJob Seeker workshops, career coaching), and Community Engagement (The Perch Project cafe training, Canine Assisted Learning). The organization also produces the annual Northern Beaches Careers Expo.

Product overview

Youth Up Front is a registered Australian charity providing a portfolio of youth support programs focused on education, career development, and community engagement. The organization operates as a unified service offering centered around four main pillars: Student Engagement (targeted support for at-risk students), Work Placement Support (coordinating mandatory VET workplace placements), Career Programs (employment preparation and career guidance), and Community Engagement (building community connections). Key programs include the Northern Beaches Careers Expo (annual event), The Perch Project (hospitality training cafe), Canine Assisted Learning (resilience building), and Connecting Women to Trades. The organization has been operating since 1993 and supports young people aged 12-25 across Northern Sydney.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The BEN: Former trading name used prior to 2022 rebranding
• Work Placement Support Programme (WPSP)
• Canine Assisted Learning (CAL)
• The Perch Project
• Northern Beaches Careers Expo

Products and services

• Student Engagement Programs targeting students from Year 7 to Year 12 who are at risk of disengaging from learning, providing personalized support to improve wellbeing and foster inclusion, resilience and positive relationships. Delivered through case workers, mentoring, and school referrals.
• Work Placement Support Programme (WPSP) Coordinates structured workplace learning opportunities for students undertaking VET courses and Board Endorsed Courses with mandatory work placement components. Links employers to schools across Northern Sydney since 1997.
• Northern Beaches Careers Expo Premier annual event connecting thousands of secondary students with education, training, and employment providers. Co-presented with Training Services NSW and UAC. Held at Miramare Gardens, Terrey Hills.
• Community Engagement Programs Educational, recreational, and vocational programs bringing the local community together, promoting environmental and behavioural changes that improve health and wellbeing of the whole community.
• Employment and Career Programs Career development and employment support including Connecting Women to Trades, JuniorJob Seeker workshops, and career coaching to help young people make informed choices about work and life.
• The Perch Project A student cafe training program run in partnership with Lone Crow Coffee (Indigenous owned) and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval. Students develop business skills and hospitality experience through real cafe operations.
• Canine Assisted Learning (CAL) Building Resilience Program for young people using dogs to encourage students to slow down, experience unconditional love, and build resilience and social skills.
• Connecting Women to Trades Fee-free introductory program for women considering careers in Automotive Trades, including part TAFE qualification, career coaching, industry tours, practical learning, and job seeking skills.
• JuniorJob Seeker Workshop Workshop helping young people develop job seeking skills and understand employment options.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ students inspired and supported over 20+ years
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• NSW Government - Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner providing government-funded programs for vocational education and work placement support across Northern Sydney schools
• NSW Government - Department of IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner supporting industry and education partnerships
• Manly Warringah Sea EaglescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner since 2022, supporting The Perch Project (Eagles Nest) program providing real skills development for students
• Lone Crow CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity conscious, Indigenous owned and operated coffee company collaborating on The Perch Project since 2023
• Northern Beaches CouncilmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government community partner supporting youth programs and community engagement activities
• Dee Why RSLmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting youth initiatives
• Workplace Learning NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership and alliance supporting workplace learning coordination across NSW
• Youth ActionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeak body alliance for youth services in NSW
• Northern Beaches Business Chamber (multiple chambers)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMembership in Chambers of Commerce across Northern Sydney region including Manly, Warringah, Hornsby, Mona Vale, Mosman, and Chatswood for business networking and employer engagement
• Training Services NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner supporting Careers Expo as co-presenter
• UAC (Universities Admissions Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner supporting Careers Expo as co-presenter for university pathway information
• Local Business Partners (50+ businesses)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 50 local businesses including restaurants (Pilu at Freshwater, Garfish), construction companies, golf clubs, and cafes providing work placement host opportunities and program support

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YWCA Australia: YWCA Australia runs youth housing, leadership, and employment programs (including Young Women's Leadership Program). Directly comparable as a youth-focused registered charity with programs targeting young women's career pathways, similar to YUF's Connecting Women to Trades.
• Australian Business Community Network (ABCN): ABCN partners Australian businesses with schools to deliver mentoring and career-readiness programs for disadvantaged youth. Closely comparable to YUF's school-employer broker model and target outcomes, though ABCN operates nationally with corporate partners rather than local SMEs.
• Brotherhood of St Laurence: BSL runs employment, education, and youth programs in Victoria and beyond, including dedicated youth services focused on school-to-work transitions. Closely comparable mission and beneficiary group to YUF's work placement and career programs, though operating in a different state.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia: Big Brothers Big Sisters runs formal youth mentoring programs across Australia, pairing young people with adult role models. Directly comparable to YUF's mentoring component, particularly around positive youth development and adult role model engagement for at-risk youth.
• Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW (PCYC): PCYC operates youth development, vocational, and community engagement programs across NSW with strong local-club presence. Comparable mission and target demographic, though anchored in police-community partnerships rather than the school-employer broker model YUF runs.

Broad incumbents

• TAFE NSW: TAFE NSW is the state government's vocational education provider where YUF places VET students for mandatory work placement. Directly comparable as a key partner (not a competitor) and the dominant VET institution in YUF's region, providing the demand-side pipeline for work placement services.
• Headspace (National Youth Mental Health Foundation): Headspace is the Australian government's flagship youth mental health and wellbeing initiative, operating hundreds of centres nationally serving 12-25 year olds. Comparable target demographic and youth-services mission to YUF, with overlapping wellbeing engagement functions.
• The Smith Family: The Smith Family is a major Australian charity running youth education and career support programs (including Learning for Life) nationwide. It is comparable to YUF as a youth-focused educational charity but operates at far greater national scale and brand recognition.
• Mission Australia: Mission Australia delivers youth homelessness, employment, and education support across the country, including its Youth Employment Services program. Comparable as a youth-services nonprofit serving overlapping needs (engagement, employment, education pathways) but at national scope.

Emerging players

• Clontarf Foundation: Clontarf Foundation runs sport-based engagement and employment programs for marginalised young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men across Australia. Comparable youth-engagement-to-employment pathway model, though with a narrower beneficiary focus.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NorthernBeachesBEN
• Facebookfacebook.com/BusinessEduNetwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youthupfront
• Instagraminstagram.com/youthupfront

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YUF (Youth Up Front)