By Casey Neill
A connectivity centre could be the key to filling scores of jobs with unemployed young people in Greater Dandenong.
The Mayoral Youth Employment Taskforce met for the first time on Wednesday 17 May at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said federal and state politicians, business owners and educators all took part.
“It was setting all the ground rules and what we want to get done,” he said.
He said the business representatives in particular suggested a connectivity centre for Dandenong.
“They thought that that would be huge for the region,” he said.
“That’s something that we’re going to look into.
“It would be like having a huge facility where probably it trains people and matches people who’ve got that training, ready to go, who are job ready.”
Cr Memeti said Dandenong South caravan manufacturer Jayco needed 70 new employees.
He said Corex Plastics in Dandenong South had 30 or 40 job vacancies and Hilton Manufacturing, also in Dandenong South, was seeking 50 workers.
“They can’t fill them. We need to understand why young people aren’t applying for these jobs,” Cr Memeti said.
“Are they not ready for them?
“We want to be able to fill these jobs with young people.”
He said about 80 per cent of Greater Dandenong students finished Year 12, compared to the state average of 90 per cent.
“It’s about understanding these figures, breaking them down,” he said.
“Where can we put these younger people to work and what are they looking for?”
The next taskforce meeting is scheduled for July. The group will meet twice more after that before the end of September.
“I want to have a clear direction if we’ve got any opportunities to have a connectivity centre in the region,” Cr Memeti said.
“I want to see us connect with young people and how to put them into work.
“I don’t think it’s good enough to have 20-plus per cent youth unemployment in our region, especially when there’s jobs out there.
“I want to see youth unemployment drop. I’d love to see it go to the national average. That would be the ultimate outcome.”
The taskforce followed a report into how the council could improve employment for young people and asylum seekers living in the municipality.
