The Australian Government today announced 11 successful organisations that will help young people and early school leavers become work ready under the first round of the new Transition to Work programme.
Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP said the initiative would ensure young job seekers aged 15-21 receive intensive support from community-based organisations with expertise in helping young people to develop their work-like skills.
Providers delivering Transition to Work are experienced in working with young people who may face greater barriers to entering the workforce. The programme will be delivered through personalised services to provide assistance with vocational skills development, purchase training, interview training and career advice.
“The Government is committed to supporting young people at risk of long term unemployment to move into work or education,” Mr van Manen said.
“The Coalition is not prepared to stand by while a generation of young Australians remain without gainful employment – the best form of welfare is a job and we are committed to ensuring that every young Australian who can work is able to find work.
“Evidence shows that young people who leave school early are most at risk of becoming long term unemployed and this service will provide intensive support to help them move into work or re-engage with education.”
Transition to Work is part of the Australian Government’s Youth Employment Strategy, announced in the 2015-16 Budget.
Mr van Manen said measures such as Transition to Work would equip young people with the work skills needed to contribute to the future workforce and productivity growth.
“Participants will benefit from Transition to Work providers who have strong links to their local communities including employers, community services and schools.”
The service will commence from February 2016 in the first seven employment regions which have been selected on the basis of high need:
- North and North Western Tasmania, TAS
- Darwin (includes Alice Springs), NT
- Perth South, WA
- Adelaide North, SA
- Barwon, VIC
- Cairns, QLD
- Far West Orana, NSW
Providers will be progressively announced in February for the remaining employment regions.
The $322 million Transition to Work service is one in a range of Government services to help young people get into work, including the:
- Empowering YOUth Initiative to support young people at risk of welfare dependency into work through innovative ideas that offer a different approach to those currently available.
- Engaging Early School Leavers initiative which strengthens requirements for young job seekers aged 15-21 years who haven’t completed Year 12 to continue their education or look for work to receive the Youth Allowance.
- Work for the Dole, part of jobactive, which helps people aged 18 and over gain the skills they need to become work-ready and make a contribution to their local community.
- National Work Experience Programme which aims to build confidence and real life work experience for job seekers and prepare them to meet expectations of employers by undertaking unpaid work experience with businesses, not-for-profit and Government organisations for up to 25 hours per week for a maximum of four weeks per placement.
- Job Commitment Bonus which provides up to $6,500 to encourage Australians aged 18 to 30, who have been on certain income support payments for 12 months or more to find a job, keep it and stay off welfare.
For more information on Transition to Work visit: http://www.employment.gov.au/youth
