The 2016/17 Victorian Budget will include $20 million for a Reconnect Program, which supports vulnerable young people who left school early or who are long-term unemployed prepare for training and work.
Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert today visited Access Skills Training in Bendigo to announce $340,000 for the group to deliver vital support and help address high youth unemployment levels in the area.
The Reconnect Grants are in response to the decline in the number of young, early school leavers enrolling in vocational education and training programs and includes:
- $14 million for programs specifically designed to re-engage people with training. This will go to 26 organisations, including 10 in regional Victoria, supporting more than 2300 young people across the state.
- $6 million as an added incentive for Registered Training Organisations to take on early school leavers in the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
The Reconnect Program will help participants understand what employers are looking for and will also help them find a job.
The grants will go to Learn Locals, Registered Training Organisations and TAFEs right across Victoria with many of them partnering with other providers to deliver training and services.
Industry involvement in training is vital for growing Victoria’s skilled workforce and for making sure the training people get meets industry needs.
The Andrews Labor Government is focused on linking jobs with industry and workforce needs and this funding will allow that to happen.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“Too many young Victorians are dropping out of school and not going into the workforce or into training. This $20 million injection of funds will help address that alarming situation.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“This is a big win for our community and I look forward to seeing Access Skills Training build on the work they’ve already doing.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“We’re making sure Access Skills Training has the resources it needs to engage with early school leavers in Bendigo.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020