Senior secondary school students in Townsville will have new opportunities to develop skills and learn about local in-demand occupations with the opening of an Industry Training Hub.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, today announced the opening of the Townsville Industry Training Hub which will assist young people in Year 11 and 12 to build skills and enter the workforce.
“Training Hubs will tackle areas with persistently high youth unemployment by delivering one-to-one mentoring services and skills development to ensure young Australians are well placed to find employment,” Minster Cash said.
The Federal Member for Herbert, Mr Phil Thompson OAM MP, said Training Hubs will strengthen partnerships between local schools, industries and employers, and ensure that vocational education and training is a first-choice option.
“I am pleased to announce that MEGT (Australia) Ltd has been awarded the contract for the Training Hub in Townsville. MEGT has nominated Ms Julie Ashdown as the full-time Career Facilitator to deliver Training Hub services in Townsville and the surrounding areas,” Mr Thompson said.
The Federal Member for Dawson, Mr George Christensen, said the Career Facilitator will work with local employers, industry and schools to develop education and training pathways in areas of local skills shortages to set young people up on a viable career path.
“We are committed to assisting young people in Townsville build skills for the occupations that are in demand and create better linkages between schools and local industry,” Mr Christensen said.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships, the Hon Steve Irons MP, said the Townsville Training Hub is the second of ten Training Hubs announced as part of the Government’s $585 million Delivering Skills for Today and Tomorrow package, which he says is strengthening the vocational education and training sector to build a strong workforce that meets industry needs.
“These Industry Training Hubs are an important part of the Morrison Government’s plan to tackle the challenge of youth unemployment. The value of these hubs is that they are integrated into local communities – linking young people, training organisations and employers”, Assistant Minister Irons said.
The first Training Hub was launched in Burnie, Tasmania earlier this year. A full-time Career Facilitator will manage each Training Hub, providing an on-the-ground presence while delivering Training Hub services.
MEGT (Australia) Ltd is a not-for-profit Australian organisation that has been supporting employers, apprentices, trainees, job seekers and students for almost 40 years.
