By Tate Papworth
Brimbank council has developed a strategy aimed at helping young people find employment and is calling for public comment.
Community members are invited to comment on the draft Brimbank Youth Jobs Strategy 2018-2023, which will guide the council’s response to unemployment in Brimbank.
Cr Virginia Tachos stressed the importance of the strategy.
“This draft strategy is absolutely critical in the role we play as a council in dealing with a very serious issue in Brimbank,” she said. “Over the past 10 years, the number of people aged between 15 and 25 looking for work has risen significantly.
“In 2016, one in five young people in Brimbank were unemployed and 34 per cent of people unemployed were 15 to 25.”
The strategy aims to cover a range of areas, including creating a framework to effectively consider and respond to high youth unemployment rates in Brimbank and efforts to work alongside young people who live, work or socialise in Brimbank.
It also seeks to consolidate lessons from case studies and initiatives to improve youth employment outcomes in Brimbank and illustrate practical ways to change negative stereotypes impacting young people experiencing unemployment in Brimbank.
Mayor Margaret Giudice said she was pleased to endorse the draft strategy for public exhibition.
“Youth unemployment is a big issue in Brimbank and in recognition of the central role of employment in young people’s lives [the] council has developed its first Youth Jobs Strategy,” Cr Giudice said. “We know that job creation and economic growth are central to addressing disadvantage, but the research indicates national and regional job growth does not provide trickle down benefits to vulnerable young people.
“Data from the most recent Census indicates 2910 young people living in Brimbank are experiencing unemployment, which is well above the state average.
“These levels of unemployment are disturbing and council wants to turn this around.”
The draft strategy will be open for
community consultation from July 20 to August 17. To view and provide feedback, visit: brimbank.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay.
