Transition to Work Launched Across Australia
1 February 2016 at 11:07 am
The Australian Government has revealed the 11 successful organisations that will help young people and early school leavers become ready for work under the first round of the new Transition to Work program.
Minister for Employment Senator Michaelia Cash and Assistant Minister for Productivity Dr Peter Hendy visited a trailer manufacturer in regional NSW to make the announcement.
“This important initiative will ensure young job seekers aged 15-21 receive intensive support from community-based organisations with expertise in helping young people to develop their work-like skills,” Senator Cash said.
Providers delivering Transition to Work were chosen for their experience in working with young people who may face greater barriers to entering the workforce.
Cash said the program would be delivered through individually tailored services to provide assistance with vocational skills development, purchase training, interview training and career advice.
“The Coalition is not prepared to stand by while a generation of young Australians remain without gainful employment – the best form of welfare is a job and we are committed to ensuring that every young Australian who can work is able to find work,” Cash said.
“Evidence shows that young people who leave school early are most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed and this service will provide intensive support to help them move into work or re-engage with education.”
The $322 million Transition to Work program is part of the government’s Youth Employment Strategy, announced in the 2015-16 Budget.
Dr Hendy said the organisations chosen to deliver the first round of Transition to Work were strong supporters of providing jobseekers with employment opportunities by engaging with government employment service providers.
“Measures such as Transition to Work equip young people with the work skills needed to contribute to the future workforce and productivity growth,” Dr Hendy said.
“Participants will benefit from Transition to Work providers who have strong links to their local communities including employers, community services and schools.”
The service will commence from this month in the first seven employment regions which have been selected on the basis of high need including North and Northwestern Tasmania, Darwin, Alice Springs, Northern Adelaide, Cairns and Southern Perth.
A full list of the organisations chosen to deliver Transition to Work can be found here.
