IT'S NOT an easy thing to change a statistic.

Just 65 per cent of high school students finish Year 12 studies in the Hume region.

But Boyd Maplestone believes that number can increase with support from local businesses.

A local boy, who grew up in Lancefield, Mr Maplestone worked as a welfare co-ordinator in London, with the Smith Family in Broadmeadows and in youth employment programs in Sunshine before returning to the area.

In his current role, Mr Maplestone is the chief executive officer of the Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN), a non-profit organisation that creates networks between young people, organisations and employers.

“We're a bit like the glue that works between different agencies,” Mr Maplestone said.

“We create the networks, the opportunities, we put ourselves out there.”

But it's no easy task.

The Central Ranges LLEN covers 8400 square kilometres and two regions – Hume and Loddon Valley.

“You have your champions though,” Mr Maplestone said.

Seymour Hospital has worked with LLEN to create an industry placement program.

Information technology company ViaTek have also helped out, donating a $6000 multi-functional photocopying machine.

ViaTek representative Piers Brown said he had noticed LLEN's work after visiting Kilmore.

“It was hard for them to raise any funds; we thought we could help them out,” Mr Brown said.

“They do a lot of great work with education in the community.”

Mr Maplestone said it was help like this that allowed LLEN to continue their work.

Although they received funding from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, LLEN relies on support from the community.

The LLEN will hold an industry forum in April and Mr Maplestone is encouraging as many businesses as possible to attend.

“We're selling the future of young people,” he said.

“We want them (young people) to be engaged, active citizens in our communities.”

Mr Maplestone said businesses and organisations can be “involved in the conversation” about young people and education and employment by visiting the LLEN forums at www.centralrangesllen.org.au or calling the LLEN on 5781 1014.