The Andrews Labor Government is breaking down barriers and getting more people into work, including young Victorians, thanks to the $90 million Jobs Victoria program.
Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll joined North Melbourne Football Club’s Majak Daw and Emma Kearney at The Huddle today to announce a $1.15 million boost to help disengaged young people into work.
The funding will focus on engaging at-risk youth from migrant communities through community activities, sport and employment.
The funding builds on Jobs Victoria’s successful migrant outreach programs including Given the Chance, which is delivered by the Brotherhood of St Laurence in partnership with The Huddle and Moonee Valley City Council.
During the visit to North Melbourne Football Club, Mr Carroll visited The Huddle, a program run by the club that works with young people from migrant backgrounds across sport and recreation and education.
Thanks to The Huddle, Hamdi – who arrived from Ethiopia seven years ago with minimal English – was supported through high school and into employment at the club where she works as a kitchen hand.
This latest boost to Jobs Victoria ensures that there will be hundreds more stories like Hamdi’s, right across the state.
The Victorian Budget 2018/19 included a $21 million boost for Jobs Victoria, including $5 million for additional youth services designed to tackle long-term unemployment in its earliest stages.
Jobs Victoria has supported over 6,000 Victorians in finding work since the program began in September 2016, including young jobseekers, long-term jobseekers and jobseekers from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“Young people will drive the economic future of Victoria, so we’re backing them to get their start through a good job.”
“Jobs Victoria is making sure no one falls through the cracks because everyone, regardless of their background, has the right to share in our strong economy.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020