Early school leavers connect to work

A PROGRAM connecting Greater Dandenong school leavers with training and work has received a $1 million boost.
Figures show that 7.4 per cent of the municipality’s early school leavers are not in employment or training – above the 5.5 per cent state average.
The State Government on Friday 6 May announced an extra $997,000 from its Reconnect Program for Jesuit Community College.
Its case workers and outreach and engagement workers will use the cash to help students complete skill and job assessments and create plans for training and work.
The college will also deliver the program in St Albans, Hoppers Crossing, Richmond, South Melbourne and Collingwood.
The Reconnect Program is designed to help young people who left school early or are long-term unemployed to prepare for training and work.
Training and Skills Minister Steve Herbert said they often lacked 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.
“We’re helping early school leavers take a step forward to get back into training, education and into a job.”
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said: “We’re helping breakdown the barriers stopping early school leavers from accessing training.”