Cash to reconnect

Young people in Dandenong will have more access to training and support to get a job thanks to extra funding for early school leavers and the long-term unemployed.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams announced an extra $969,000 to support the Skills First Reconnect program on Thursday 16 November.
The Brotherhood of St Laurence will receive $584,000 to help create pathways to accredited training for 80 high needs learners from disadvantaged backgrounds living in Greater Dandenong and Casey. They will co-locate the program with the Jobs Victoria Employment Network and draw on its network of agency partners.
Support workers will work one-on-one with participants from disadvantaged backgrounds and marginalised groups with low levels of literacy and numeracy to identify their aspirations, skills, capabilities and any barriers stopping them from accessing further training or jobs.
Participants will be supported with training in literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and work skills.
Bentleigh-based Task Force Community Agency Inc will also receive $385,000 to deliver the Skills First Reconnect program and support disengaged high-need learners aged 17 to 19 years in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.
The program has a particular focus on those impacted by alcohol and drug misuse and mental health issues.
It will provide 55 young people with the support they need to engage with and complete accredited training, and develop skills to for employment or further training in the hospitality sector.
“We’re helping early school leavers and the long-term unemployed access the education and training they need to find work,” Ms Williams said.