AT A time when the state's youth unemployment rate is at crisis point, Chloe Tilbury is defying the odds.
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The 18-year-old completed year 12 at Catholic College Bendigo in 2013.
She worked two jobs - one in retail and the other hospitality - for several months but unfortunately lost both positions in the period of a week.
Ms Tilbury said it was a difficult time.
"It was rough," she said.
"I was applying for heaps of jobs online and handing out resumes every day.
"I was doing my absolute best but I didn't have enough experience."
Ms Tilbury got in contact with Sureway Employment and Training and participated in several programs.
In June, she was selected to attend a business breakfast and meet with employers as part of a project called Providing the First Step for Our Youth - an initiative of Sureway.
Soon after, Ms Tilbury found employment as an administration trainee with the Country Fire Authority.
Ms Tilbury said the most difficult obstacle young people faced when trying to find employment was their lack of experience.
"Everyone wants someone young with experience," she said.
"However the reality is young people fresh out of year 12 don't have experience.
"We just need someone to give us a go."
Youth unemployment dropped .9 per cent in Bendigo in the past year, a Brotherhood of St Laurence analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data found.
Sureway employment broker Michael Hockley said the employment market was more competitive compared to 10 years ago.
"In the last 10 years there has been a lot of change in what jobs are available," he said.
"A lot of them nowadays you need a university qualification."
In terms of gaining employment, Ms Tilbury had one word of advice for other people her age.
"Don't give up. Keep knocking on doors," she said.
"If you put in, your time will come."
For more information about Sureway, visit www.sureway.com.au