Empowering YOUth Initiatives to help young people into jobs

Federal Member for Mitchell, the Hon Alex Hawke MP, is inviting organisations in the Hills district to put forth fresh and innovative ideas to help vulnerable young Australians find and keep a job.

Minister for Employment Senator Michaelia Cash today released the grant guidelines for the new Empowering YOUth Initiatives, inviting organisations to apply for funding to deliver projects that help young people at risk of welfare dependency into work.

“I invite not-for-profit community organisations to put forward proposals for innovative projects that offer a different approach to those currently available,” Alex Hawke said.

“The Government recognises that some young people face greater barriers to finding and holding onto a job than their peers, for example those who leave school early or come from a different cultural background,” Alex Hawke said.

“These vulnerable young Australians face greater challenges and have a higher risk of long-term unemployment and a life of welfare dependency,” Minister Cash said.

“That is why we’re investing $50 million in the Empowering YOUth Initiatives - to give young people the extra help they need to move into work.”

The first round of projects set up under the Empowering YOUth Initiatives will focus on young people who are living in regional areas with high levels of social disadvantage, early school leavers, Indigenous, or from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

The Empowering YOUth Initiatives are part of the $331 million Youth Employment Strategy announced in the 2015-16 Budget and follows the release of guidelines last month for the new Transition to Work service, a further Government initiative to tackle youth unemployment.

 “This could be an innovative way to prevent unemployment, remove barriers to employment, or just as importantly, sustain employment.”

The first round of projects will commence from March 2016.

Information sessions for interested organisations will be held in capital cities during November and via online webinars.

For more information and eligibility details please visit; http://www.employment.gov.au/employment-services-procurement-information