Premier

Helping Social Enterprises Boost Jobs And Training

14 August 2018

The Andrews Labor Government is backing Victoria’s growing social enterprise sector to create jobs and training opportunities for those Victorians who need extra help finding work.

Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll today announced more than $2 million for Victoria’s social enterprises at the national Social Traders Conference at Abbotsford Convent.

The funding includes $1.7 million to establish a Social Enterprise Network for Victoria which will help boost the capability of social enterprises across the state, including regional Victoria, to better meet the needs of the community – creating jobs and boosting local economies.

The funding will create hubs for social enterprises to work with each other to ensure that this vital sector continues to grow into the future.

Social enterprises and Aboriginal businesses will also be supported by the new Victorian Social Enterprise Network which will include an online portal with tools, resources and peer-to-peer forums.

A further $500,000 will be shared among 24 social enterprises from the second round of the Labor Government’s Boost Your Business Voucher Program.

The vouchers will help social enterprises expand their business, employ more staff and allow them to support Victorians in need.

It will also help social enterprises benefit from the Victorian Social Procurement Framework, which will apply to all Government departments and agencies that procure goods, services and construction from 1 September 2018.

By leveraging Government’s significant purchasing power, the framework delivers an important social dividend beyond the contract value which, in turn, supports job creation and training, particularly amongst disadvantaged community groups.

Major projects including the Level Crossing Removals Authority, the Metro Tunnel and the Westgate Tunnel have already engaged a number of social enterprises to deliver goods and services including landscaping, maintenance services, printing, catering and information hubs from converted shipping containers.

There are more than 3,500 social enterprises operating across the state contributing $5.2 billion to the Victorian economy.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll

“We’re backing social enterprises to make sure everyone gets a fair go – so they can find a job and keep it.”

“We’re leading the way – working hand-in-hand with the social enterprise sector to support disadvantaged Victorians and deliver a fairer and more inclusive economy.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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