Premiering on SBS last night, The Employables is already encouraging audiences to confront the sad reality behind Australia's unemployment statistics - that certain groups face a significantly higher incidence of prejudice or discrimination and a greater chance of being denied employment opportunities.
Hosted by self-made millionaire and mentor Creel Price, the three-part reality-documentary series introduces viewers to a group of everyday down-on-their-luck Australians who are statistically more likely to be discriminated against.
These contestants, vying for the opportunity to start their own business, represent some of the eight groups of Australians facing a greater challenge when it comes to gaining employment: Indigenous Australians, immigrants and refugees, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, people with disabilities, youth, the elderly, single parents and former prisoners
"I think against all the odds these people can achieve something that even they don't think is possible," Price says, giving viewers a brief rundown on his history as a successful businessman and recent pivot into socially conscious investing.
"It doesn't have to be a dog-eat-dog world," he says.
His goal with The Employables? To select six Australians to work together, bringing one of their business ideas to life in just eight weeks.
"I've been a job seeker for a few years now, I've got my Bachelors and other things, but they don't seem to get me anywhere," one contestant says before pitching her business idea.
The cast of The Employables. Source: SBS
"It would mean the world, it would really mean the world," another says. "It would mean that I could be independent and live for myself."
John, a 50-something man who produces his own beef jerky, despite being married to a vegetarian, is first to face the panel of experts.
"Once you pass fifty, where I live, people don't want you anymore. You can't take care of your family. I live in a rental property, it's hard. This would take away that urge to..." he says, breaking down in tears as he reveals that he's been unemployed for 6 years.
"You should be able to take care of your family, I currently can't."
"I'm a member of the stolen generation," 52-year-old Daniella tells viewers as she waits for her turn to pitch.
"I was taken and my siblings were taken."
Another candidate, Ashan, tells Price's panel of experts that she hasn't had any luck finding employment, due in part to her being a refugee.
"People look at my skin and they think I don't know anything," she says, before pitching her idea - to offer training to people living in remote communities to work in cafes and hospitality.
"I don't want anyone to go through what I went through, it's heart-wrenching," she says.
Lazarus, a transgender amputee, tells the panel that before losing his leg he was successful in every job he applied for. "I really feel like I'm being discriminated against," he says, sharing his idea of an online shoe shop for amputees, The One-Shoe Shop.
"Hopefully I'll be moving onto the next stage and tearing it up," Lazarus tells cameras following his interview.
Creel and his team now have to whittle down the pool of contestants down to only 12, using a "tried and trusted scientific tool" - an extensive questionnaire that helps identify entrepreneurial talent.
"Everyone's got different things they can bring, we want to make sure their complimentary," Price says. "I don't know if it's going to be successful or not."
In a hark back to the golden age of reality TV, Price and his team then reveal the 12 hopefuls proceeding to the show's boot camp phase.
"To be honest, it's the first time I feel like a decision in my life has gone my way," 26-year-old Tadd says, getting emotional.
We're soon introduced to Price's idea of business boot camp, which happens to involve literal camping. It's all part of the plan, Price says - a way to test the contestants on their drive and strength of character.
"Shit it's been a long time since I've put one of these up, I'll tell ya," Daniella says with a cackle, struggling to erect her tent.
"Being Aboriginal, we're not really taken seriously," she reveals to camera.
"I just want to show people that I can actually do it, that would be bloody awesome."
The first boot camp challenge is equal parts metaphoric and tediously physical, with Price leading the group of budding entrepreneurs on a six kilometre mountain hike. At the end of the challenge, Price reveals, the group of 12 will become a group of six.
"If you can push yourself physically, hopefully you can bring that to your business," Price says as several contestants struggle to even start the hike, with 27-year-old Jess becoming the boot camp's first casualty.
Impressively, amputee Lazarus manages to make it one third of the way up the mountain on his crutches, before being told he cannot safely continue.
"It's not your job to get to the top, it's your job to get down safely," Price reminds him.
"I've never quit anything in my life, I could hear the voices," Ian, who is vision impaired, says after climbing the last of eight ladders leading to the mountain's summit.
At the end of the day, seven of the group's 12 make it to the summit - a great result, Price says.
After some touching anecdotes and high-fives, the inspiring group are asked to share anonymously who they'd most like to work with moving forward - answers which will be taken into consideration as Price makes his final decision on next week's episode.
Watch the first episode of 'The Employables' now via SBS On Demand.
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