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Victorian businesses providing jobs to help young offenders get back on track

Monday, 15 August 2011

Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Richard Dalla-Riva together with the Minister for Corrections Andrew McIntosh today congratulated the YMCA Bridge Project and industry for supporting hundreds of young offenders re-build their lives.

At the sixth anniversary of the YMCA's Bridge Project hosted by Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, Mr Dalla-Riva said this project had supported hundreds of young offenders to make a positive contribution back to society.

"The Coalition Government is pleased to continue funding the Bridge Project which has helped more than 350 young offenders into pre-employment training, vocational training and sustainable work," Mr Dalla-Riva said.

"The Bridge Project is a community initiative specifically designed to break the cycle of youth offending by providing support, training and employment to young offenders in youth detention.

"More than 80 per cent of these young people have completed work readiness training and up to 85 have achieved certificate level qualifications with 135 work placements," Mr Dalla-Riva said.

Mr Dalla-Riva also thanked those businesses involved in the project and presented merit certificates to KPMG, Ford Broadmeadows, Transfield, Melbourne Water, Sport and Recreation Victoria, Ultra Feedback and Werribee Hyundai for providing 20 jobs, specialised products and professional support to young offenders through the Bridge Project.

"The Coalition Government and the YMCA have been providing a range of programs in the state's three youth justice centres to help these young people turn their lives around," Mr McIntosh said.

"Earlier this year, I presented the Bridge Project with a national certificate as part of the Australian Violence and Crime Prevention Awards for its work providing support, training and employment opportunities to young offenders in Melbourne.

"It is a credit to the dedication of all those involved in the program and represents an enormous contribution to the community of Victoria.

"Without local employers the YMCA could not provide the practical support needed for disadvantaged young people and more businesses are needed to become employment hosts for young offenders to help them get back on track," Mr McIntosh said.

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