- Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade
The first of 200 new trainees have taken the initial steps toward careers in community centres, neighbourhood houses, disability services and community health clinics as participants of the Jobs Victoria Community Traineeship Pilot Program.
This best-practice program aims to address two key issues; pockets of high youth unemployment around the state and the future workforce needs of the thriving community services sector.
The initiative is another way the Andrews Labor Government is helping ensure all Victorians have the chance to access training and build rewarding careers.
The pilot program identifies young people around Dandenong, Bendigo, and Broadmeadows who are facing barriers to employment and provides them with a full-time job while they complete a nationally recognised Certificate IV in Community Services.
Led by the Victorian Council of Social Service in partnership with RMIT, Youth Projects, Access Australia Group, Taskforce and Future Social Service Institute, the program will trial and evaluate a flexible model of training tailored to meet participants’ needs.
Trainees will be supported to better manage issues that make it difficult for them engage in work, such as insecure housing and low literacy.
The Labor Government knows that a job is more than just a pay cheque. It is an important component in building a sense of freedom, community and belonging for young Victorians.
The Government has invested more than $90 million into Jobs Victoria services and supported over 9,500 jobseekers into work since October 2016.
As stated by Minister for Jobs Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula
“This is a great example of how we’re working hard to provide employment and training opportunities for our young people and connecting them to the jobs of the future.”
“We’re partnering with social services and businesses to break down barriers to employment and ensure that no jobseeker is left behind.”
As stated by Minister for Youth and Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams
“This is all about helping young people who might be struggling to find their feet and setting them up for long-term success.”
As stated by CEO of Victorian Council of Social Service Emma King
“With more than 70,000 new jobs projected in the community services industry over the next five years, the sector is on the cusp of a jobs explosion.”
