The first Dandenong inductees have started a pilot jobs program for young people in the community-services sector.
The Jobs Victoria Community Traineeship Pilot Program is training 200 young people in high-unemployment areas such as Dandenong, Broadmeadows and Bendigo.
Under a flexible, tailored training model, students are provided a full-time job while they study a nationally-recognised Certificate IV in Community Services.
At the same time, they are supported through issues that may impede their employment chances, such as insecure housing and low literacy.
The trainees will then qualify for careers in community centres, neighbourhood houses, disability services and community health clinics.
The program is a partnership between the State Government and the Victorian Council of Social Service, with RMIT, Youth Projects, Access Australia Group, Taskforce and Future Social Service Institute.
VCOSS chief executive Emma King said the community-services sector was on the cusp of a “jobs explosion”, with more than 70,000 new jobs projected for the next five years.
Jobs, Innovation and Trade Minister Martin Pakula, who attended the launch in Dandenong on 12 June, said the Government was working hard to connect young people to “jobs of the future”.
“We’re partnering with social services and businesses to break down barriers to employment and ensure that no jobseeker is left behind.”
Youth Minister and Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams said it would help young people “struggling to find their feet” set up for long-term success.
