A Sunshine education provider have been given almost $1 million to offer more support to early school leavers and the long-term employed.
Training and Skills Minister Steve Herbert and St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman were at the Sunshine Youth Now Visy Cares Hub this morning to announce the $997,000 in extra funds for Jesuit Community College, a not-for-profit registered training provider.
Jesuit Community College’s general manager Lorraine Nesbitt said the college had been lobbying the state and federal government for some time for targeted funding to help the unemployed back into work.
“This is fantastic,” she said. “It’s targeted, this is exactly what’s needed, to provide mentoring, coaching and work placements.”
The funds come from the $20 million Reconnect Program, which was funded in the 2016-17 State Budget.
Registered training providers were invited to apply for funding from the program to provide case workers, outreach and engagement workers to work with students and create pathways to training and ultimately employment.
Ms Nesbitt said the funds would help about 170 people in St Albans, Hoppers Crossing, Richmond, Dandenong, South Melbourne and Collingwood.
Melton’s Djerriwarrh Community and Education Service will also receive $965,000 to help early school leavers and job seekers in Sunshine, St Albans, Braybrook, Melton and Taylors Hill.
Mr Herbert said the funding would help break down barriers stopping early school leavers from accessing training.
“Often young people lack the confidence and skills to get into formal training, this extra funding will make sure there is support in place so vulnerable young people can improve their lives,” he said.
