Who We Are
Social Engine is a social enterprise dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable young people. Through our youth programs, we provide practical employment experience, paid work opportunities and ongoing support that help young people build confidence, develop valuable life skills and transition into meaningful employment.
Creating brighter futures for vulnerable young
people through hands-on experience,
paid work and ongoing support.
What we do
Social Engine operates a range of sustainable social enterprises that provide vulnerable young people with paid work experience and pathways into employment. Through hands-on roles in real work environments, young people gain practical skills, build confidence and develop the experience needed to transition into the workforce.
Our services span several industries, creating diverse training and employment opportunities for the young people we support.
Our services include:
Retail & Hospitality – Kiosks, canteens and cafés
Corporate Catering – Fresh and affordable catering for corporate businesses
Warehousing & Logistics – Practical experience in warehouse operations and distribution
Site Services – Workwear safety and workplace vending machine services
Our Impact
30 young people employed in our Hospitality Employment Program (4 canteens)
15 young people supported through our Work Readiness Program (warehouse)
15 refugees and humanitarian entrants supported through our Work Readiness Program (warehouse)
Social Engine has partnered with The Udder Way and St David’s Dairy to bring Swinburne a milk service that’s focused on sustainability, fresh milk, and great service.
Social Engine was born out of a desire to positively impact the lives of vulnerable young people. At the heart of Social Engine is a passion to see these young people empowered to thrive in mainstream employment. Our two founders, Mark Watt AM and Colin Stimpson, have a long history of positively supporting youth.
Mark is passionate about assisting young people reach their full potential through opportunities and relationships having worked with Australia’s youth for over 30 years. He is driven by a personal belief in the power of business to do good through balancing commercial and social purpose. As Co-Founder and founding CEO of Whitelion over a twenty-year tenure. Mark has been involved in the creation of the social enterprises that now make up Social Engine.
Colin is driven by a belief in the power of business to do good through balancing commercial and social purpose and wants to invigorate the social procurement ecosystem to create real jobs for people experiencing disadvantage in Australia. His extensive international management career in the for-profit sector is now directed at scaling up social enterprises and guiding industry and government to achieve social impact through social procurement.
In September 2019 as part of Whitelion’s ‘Focus for Impact’ report, it was decided that, in order to scale the operations and continue their social purpose of creating employment pathways for vulnerable young people, Whitelion would cease its social enterprise operations and transfer ownership of PAWS Fulfilment (est 2013) and Pouring for a Purpose (formly Wheelly Good Coffee, est 2016).
And with this, Social Engine was born!
Our Story
Social Engine Today
Social Engine Australia (the trading name of PAWS Fulfilment Pty Ltd) is an independent registered Australian charity.
We are a Social Traders Australia Certified social enterprise. This connects us with more than 450 other businesses across Australia who are passionate about creating change in our world for the better and enables us to apply for Government and Philanthropic grants to see more young people empowered into employment and thrive in life.
