'LinkedIn for Youth' platform launches for students, graduates and educators

A new social platform aimed at Kiwi students and graduates has launched, touted as "LinkedIn for Youth".

YouthHub.co.nz aims to help New Zealand young people make the best possible start to life after they finish study.

The platform connects youth, educators, service providers and businesses together to inspire and support students through education, training and employment.

"It's a bit like LinkedIn for students and recent graduates," explains Youth Hub founder and creator Senthil Perumal.

"Youth Hub will become the one-stop-shop for students and young people aged between 16 and 24 to read inspiring stories about their peers, tell their own story, and connect with prospective employers or others who can help them as they go through study, training and launch their careers," Perumal says.

From the platform, students create a profile and gain access to youth-friendly job listings, services and training such as CV writing workshops, and read stories about other youth embarking on their careers.

According to Perumal, a small group of students have been given early access to test the Beta version of the platform. He says their feedback has been overwhelming positive.

Perumal says it's not just students full of praise for the new platform.

"It is clear many students want to get involved with this platform and understand the value it provides as they build their profiles and share who they are," comments Wellington East Girls College Te Reo Maori Head of Department Matiu Julian.

"The teachers and parents I've spoken to about it have all been really impressed and can't wait to get involved," Julian says.

Perumal says he built Youth Hub with youth at heart.

"Although there are fantastic services, businesses and educators doing great things for youth, there has been no central system to achieve collective impact," he explains.

"Youth Hub has all fundamentals of social media user experiences that our youth are so conversant with.

"We live in an incredibly exciting time for youth because they've got more options available to them than ever before," says Perumal.

"Our children can truly become anything they set their minds to and work towards. That's an awesome opportunity but it can also be quite overwhelming for some youth, so our platform is there to help guide and inspire them to make the best possible start to whatever career they choose.

Perumal says it's been over 2 years in the making with input and support from a wide range of stakeholders around the country.

Youth Hub is a free service for students and those educators, services and businesses who would like to profile themselves on the platform.