Thankful4Farmers, an initiative of social enterprise Thankful, is calling on young people to try a new type of gap year across rural and regional Australia.

The new gap year initiative launches during a skilled labour shortage across regional Australia, particularly in agriculture and hospitality industries.

Thankful CEO, Kim McDonnell, is hoping the initiative can encourage more young people to pick up a job in regional areas.

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"We know young Aussies are dreaming of adventure after a hard year. We also know they are the highest unemployed group, suffering the most with mental health and wellness," she said.

"This really is a great opportunity for them to have fun, make new friends, earn money and get out of town after lockdown."

Thankful4Farmers partnered with Training Services NSW to deliver the new gap year platform to connect young people, job seekers and school leavers to free training courses and job opportunities.

Thankful has attracted Australia chef Matt Moran, who is set to open a pub in Rockley next year, as the Thankful4Farmers ambassador.

Mr Moran - who was at Caloola on Friday with Bathurst MP Paul Toole and Ms McDonnell - said the initiative is more important then ever, considering the shortage of jobs across Australia in both agriculture and hospitality.

"Cherry season is coming in and we know that it will be a bumper crop, but if there's not labour there to pick, a lot of it goes to waste," he said.

"What it means is when cherries go into Sydney they're really expensive because there's not as many as them.

"If you've got people out there picking them and bringing them, it'll be cheaper.

"I think this gap year is a great thing for a teenager, to get out and explore NSW, as especially many haven't. You get a couple of mates together, have some fun, stay at a country town, pick some fruit, save some money and come back and buy a car."

For more information on the Thankful4Farmers new gap year initiative at www.newGAPyear.com.au.

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