Plan to cut unemployment

By Tate Papworth

The Brimbank council plans to tackle the growing issue of youth unemployment.

The council’s first youth jobs strategy will create the framework to guide the council response to the issue for the next five years.

The strategy was adopted at last month’s council meeting.

“This is a much needed strategy in Brimbank,” mayor Margaret Giudice said.

“Disturbing Australian Bureau of Statistics [2016 Census] figures indicate Brimbank is well above the state average, with more than 2900 young people living here experiencing unemployment.

“We want to take action and turn this data around – that’s why the strategy was developed – and why it’s so important for the future of our young people.”

Cr Giudice said the strategy was designed around specific issues relating to youth unemployment in Brimbank.

“We … worked alongside young people, who live, work or socialise in Brimbank and got them involved in identifying problems and solutions around youth unemployment,” she said.

“It was decided early in the process that the strategy should be developed by local young people, for local young people with their local council.”

A copy of the Brimbank Youth Jobs Strategy 2018-2023 is available at www.brimbank.vic.gov.au