IN June this year the local youth unemployment rate hit 27.4 per cent and many people want know what the Federal Government is doing to fix the problem?
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Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis said the Federal Government would be investigating the figures she described as being “statistically weird.”
Mrs Sudmalis said she would not be casting aspersions on any group but said the government's black economy taskforce was also looking into why the figure was so high.
The Federal Government, despite the concerning figures, says its youth employment programs are working.
Mrs Sudmalis was joined Minister for Employment Senator Michaelia Cash in Nowra on Wednesday, October 4 to promote the Youth Jobs Path program which is delivering employability skills and training to young people.
The minister said around 59 youths had gone through the program which resulted in six internships and one job.
“The government understands there is an issue with youth unemployment and we have never shied away from that,” she said
“This is the first time we have put in place a government program that very much works with what the young people need which is giving them the skills and the opportunity to undertaken an internship.
“They have told us they would love to work but cannot get their foot in the door.”
The minister and Mrs Sudmalis sat down with some of the youths in the program.
Their advice to the youths was to never sell themselves short and put every every course they complete and skill they had on their resumes.
The program is also a path to higher education and one participate now wants to become a registered nurse.
The minister said once more local employers found out about the program and got the right person for the job she then believes more organisations would participate.
Mrs Sudmalis said the employers need to know the internship is non-binding.
“So if they are giving a young person a go, which is what we want them to do, it is not as if they are taking them on contractually forever,” she said.
“We need to build up the confidence of employers so they know that this is the less risk opportunity to take on an employee plus getting a government subsidy at the end of it.”
Mrs Sudmalis said employers would still get income support from the government.
The two government representatives met Brock Harris, one of the program’s success stories.
Brock has a job at the newly opened Dog & Monocle after he completed an internship with the Nowra-based business.
Dog & Monocle co-owners Carley Amey and Tess Thomas said Brock was a great employee.
“He is a wonderful addition to our business and has a fantastic attitude,” Ms Thomas said.
“We would definitely encourage other Nowra businesses to find out about the Youth Jobs Path program and give a young person a go – they have a lot to offer.”
Go to www./jobactive.gov.au/path to find out more about the program.