Local businesses are encouraged to help a young person into a job while growing their business through the Turnbull Government’s $760 million Youth Jobs PaTH program.
Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP said there were many local young people keen to get into work to build a better life, but felt they lacked the practical experience to succeed in the workforce.
“The Turnbull Government’s Youth Jobs PaTH program will assist 120,000 young Australians get the skills and experience they need to get a foot in the door and get a job,” Mr van Manen said.
“Local businesses who take on an intern will receive an upfront payment of $1000 and young people will receive and incentive payment of $200 per fortnight on top of their income support payments.”
Minister for Employment Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said businesses were already responding strongly to the PaTH program.
“Youth Jobs PaTH is a win for businesses who want to grow and for young people who need an opportunity gain experience and show what they are capable of,” Minister Cash said.
“The Turnbull Government intrinsically understands that the best form of welfare is a job and so we are ensuring our young Australians are well equipped to enter the workforce and become self-sufficient.
“The best way to get more young people into work is to build a strong economy that enables employers to be more productive, more competitive, more innovative and to create more job opportunities.
“Every policy lever the government has at its disposal is being utilised to promote growth, encourage investment, stimulate job creation and support businesses.”
The Youth Jobs PaTH program will be funded through the Turnbull Government’s $855 million Youth Employment Package announced in the 2015-16 Budget.
The Youth Jobs PaTH program complements the Turnbull Government’s successful Transition to Work service and Empowering YOUth initiative, all of which are designed to get vulnerable young Australians into the workforce.
The elements of Youth Jobs PaTH are:
- Prepare — Employability Skills Training (EST) to help young people better understand what employers expect of them in the workplace and equip them with the skills, attitude and behaviours for them to be successful in a job. The rollout of courses commences this month.
- Trial — under the $250 million ‘Trial’ component, the Government is encouraging local businesses to take on a young person aged 17 to 24 in an internship for a period of up to 12 weeks.
- Hire — a Youth Bonus wage subsidy of up to $10,000 has been available since 1 January 2017 to help more businesses hire young people. More than 1,000 businesses have already taken up this subsidy.
Further information about Youth Jobs PaTH is available at jobactive.gov.au/path
