The Andrews Labor Government is helping young people in Melbourne’s west find a job and start their own business.
Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll today visited the Wyndham Youth Resource Centre to announce $1 million for a new community revitalisation project that will place almost 200 jobseekers into employment.
The money will be used to support industry partnerships, develop social enterprises and micro businesses and help young people improve their lives through finding work and ongoing education and training.
The project will expand the mentoring and coaching initiative Fresh Start, which helps young people access pre-employment support, ongoing employment coaching and an opportunity to meet with prospective employers within the local retail sector.
The community revitalisation project will be driven by a local community alliance supported by the Wyndham City Council and will include representatives from local service providers, government departments and agencies.
The project will target young people aged 15 to 25 years and people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds to access work readiness programs and other support that will lead to either a job or self-employment.
It will also take advantage of employment opportunities generated through partnerships with large and local businesses within Werribee and Tarneit.
Wyndham is home to a higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders, refugees and migrants from Africa and Myanmar and the South Pacific, than the rest of Victoria.
The initiative follows the success of the Labor Government’s Jobs Victoria program, which has placed more than 7000 people into jobs since it began in 2016.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“Every Victorian has the right to find secure work – no matter where they’re from or what their circumstances are.”
“This new program will mean young people in Melbourne’s west have the best chance possible to find a job and improve their lives and the lives of their families.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas
“We know some Victorians need extra support to find work and get their lives on track – which is why we’re investing $1 million to support people in Werribee and surrounds.”
“We’ll always support Victorians looking to find work and that’s exactly what we’re doing through this project.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020