Nourish

Nourish is a hospitality training program for young people aged 16-25 who face barriers to education and employment. OzHarvest runs the bespoke 18-week program, free of charge, where students graduate with a nationally recognised Certificate II in Cookery, new life skills and opportunities for work or further education.

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Nourish

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More than a qualification

Nourish can be a life-changing journey for students as they form friendships and learn new skills in a safe environment. Along with the accredited certificate in cookery, Nourish covers customer service, barista training, healthy eating, food safety and sustainability. Students are supported by a nurturing team with regular mentoring as they learn foundational life skills, financial literacy, and job-readiness training.

The program has in-house youth workers to support individuals and help find post-program pathways for each student. OzHarvest uses its vast network of industry contacts and partnerships to support students beyond the qualification into education, training, and employment.

Nourish runs in Adelaide, Newcastle and Sydney, with two intakes per year in February and August.

Nourish Works

Experts at Griffith University conducted an independent evaluation of the Nourish program and concluded that it successfully supports young people in employment opportunities and in their broader life. It also found the Nourish team are exceptional and share a common goal of providing respectful, individualised support and adapt the program to meet each participant’s needs. The full report has recently been published in ScienceDirect, click here to read.

Summary Report

Nourish Impact

250

Nourish graduates across three locations have graduated from the Nourish Program with a formal hospitality qualification since the program launched in 2015.

$4.20

Every $1 invested in Nourish generates $4.20 in Social Return on Investment (SROI) by increasing at-risk youth’s earning potential and avoiding health, housing and welfare costs.

92%

Graduates returned to study or found employment (2022 intake).

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Adelaide 2024 Form

Sydney 2024 form

Newcastle 2024 form

Meet our Nourish family

“

The Nourish Program changed my life. If anyone is feeling stuck or without options for jobs or education – even if hospitality is not something you aspire to a career in, I would highly recommend the Nourish Program.

Beatrix Pile

Nourish Sydney graduate

“

A magic moment for me is watching our Nourish students graduate. I can see the difference we have made to their lives and know that they have hope, confidence and a pathway to a better future.

Ronni Kahn AO

OzHarvest CEO & Founder

“

Our son was mentored, coaxed, taught, enriched more than he could have imagined. Using humour, respect and belief in our son’s efforts brought phenomenal change and growth for him. We will be forever grateful for that time and opportunity with Nourish.

Gina Boon

Mother of 2018 Nourish Graduate

“

You have been the most positive people I’ve been around in my whole life. I don’t want to think about where I would have been without this course. It has made me want to eat healthy, cook for other people and make them have a good experience.

Kelsey

Nourish SA graduate

“

The thing I find most rewarding about working in Nourish is seeing how much of a difference building up a young person’s self-esteem can make to their lives. I’m lucky to get to work with young people who may not have had a great experience with education and to turn that around for them, and to help open up opportunities for them.

Ruth Byham

Nourish Coordinator SA

“

Front of house is what I mainly enjoy, but I also love cooking so I’m going to try to find something where I can do a bit of both. The course has been great. I’ve learned a lot and made friends, lifelong friends that’s for sure.

Michael

Nourish graduate