Premier

$2 Million To Support Early School Leavers

06 May 2016

The Andrews Labor Government is giving two organisations, Jesuit Community College and Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services, a $2 million boost to help engage youth with training.

The Victorian Budget 2016/17 included $20 million for the Reconnect Program to support young people who left school early or who are long-term unemployed prepare for training and work.

Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert joined Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman at the Sunshine Youth Now Visy Cares Hub this afternoon to announce the funding which will help more than 300 people.

Jesuit Community College will receive $997,000 to engage and support both early school leavers and the long term unemployed get into formal training.

Case workers and outreach and engagement workers will work with students to undertake skills and jobs assessments and create plans to engage and prepare participants for skills training and work.

The college will also deliver the program in St Albans, Hoppers Crossing, Richmond, Dandenong, South Melbourne and Collingwood.

Djerriwarrh Community and Education Services will receive $965,000 for a program that will seek out vulnerable young people from the community to re-engage them with training.

Reconnect Coaches will then work with these young people, offering mentoring and coaching and work placements to support them to re-engage in education, training and employment.

The program will help young people in Sunshine, St Albans, Footscray, Braybrook, Melton and Taylors Hill.

The Labor Government is addressing disadvantage and promoting equity, helping those who have left school early or are long term unemployed to reconnect with training.

The number of early school leavers in the Brimbank area not in the labour force, employment or training is above the state average of 5.5 per cent.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert

“Often young people lack the confidence and skills to get into formal training, this extra funding will make sure there is support in place so vulnerable young people can improve their lives.”

“We’re helping early school leavers take a step forward to get back into training, education and into a job.”

Quotes attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman

“This is a big win for our community and I look forward to seeing how the two organisation will build on the good work they’re already doing.”

“We’re helping breakdown the barriers stopping early school leavers from accessing training.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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