Next Gen Inclusion Toolkit
Gender at Work has created a new Toolkit focussed on supporting young women and non-binary people at work. Developed with the voices of over 600 young people across Aotearoa, the toolkit highlights five focus areas that workplaces can prioritise to help young workers start strong, grow with confidence, and develop into the leaders they are.
Inside, you’ll find:
A comprehensive guide amplifying youth perspectives and aspirations for the workplace
A Youth Engagement Maturity Stocktake tool to assess your current practices
Details on our Youth Voice & Senior Leadership Workshops, designed to connect insights from younger employees directly with senior leaders
This is a resource designed to inspire action and provide practical guidance on building workplaces where young people feel included, valued, and able to thrive.
How to use the Tookit
1.
Download the guide
The guide provides comprehensive guidance on meaningful steps your organisation can take to improve youth engagement in your workplace.
2.
Take the Stocktake
Assess your current practice with our Youth Engagement Stocktake tool. Answer 40 simple yes/no questions and receive a personalised report with information about your current strengths and weaknesses, and guidance on ways you can improve your practice.
3.
Host a workshop
Gender at Work has developed a workshop series aimed at supporting organisations to uplift youth voice within the organisation.
What is included in the Toolkit?
The Next Gen Inclusion Toolkit brings together research insights, practical actions, and real voices to help organisations create workplaces where young women and non-binary people can thrive.
Inside, you’ll find:
Why This Toolkit Matters – an overview of the challenges and opportunities for employers when it comes to supporting the next generation at work.
Research Findings – a summary of Gender at Work’s national research, including key statistics, themes, and insights directly from young people across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Case for Change – evidence on why investing in inclusion benefits retention, wellbeing, and organisational performance.
Key Areas for Action – five focus areas with practical, actionable steps organisations can take to make a difference:
Foster a Culture of Respect and Belonging
Set Young People Up for Success
Design Workplaces that Centre Balance and Wellbeing
Prioritise Open Communication and Feedback
Support Personal and Professional Development
Tips from Young People – first-hand advice for leaders and peers on what truly makes workplaces inclusive.
Youth Voice & Leadership Workshops – information about Gender at Work’s workshop offerings to help your organisation put learning into action.
Youth Engagement Workshops
Take your commitment to inclusion a step further with our Youth Engagement Workshops, designed to help organisations listen to and act on the voices of young people in their workplaces.
Delivered by the Gender at Work team, these interactive sessions use research insights and guided activities to help young employees share their experiences, identify challenges, and co-create solutions. A follow-up leadership workshop option is also available to help senior leaders reflect on these insights and commit to meaningful organisational change.
Together, these workshops turn youth perspectives into practical actions that strengthen connection, inclusion, and retention across your organisation.