Friday 17 July 2020
The Federal Government’s new JobTrainer program fills an important gap by helping young people hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic to face the future with more confidence, Anglicare Victoria’s CEO Paul McDonald said.
Anglicare Victoria CEO Paul McDonald said young people have been some of the hardest hit by the virus, both economically and socially.
“School leavers are entering a world barren of casual and part-time employment prospects. The Morrison Government has rightly acted to put significant investment into training and apprenticeships to provide renewed opportunities for the youth market, who are facing an uncertain future,” Mr McDonald said.
“This is what we want governments to do – reach out to help young people and put them on a trajectory towards employment or training. JobTrainer has the potential to act as a real shifter for a youth population at risk of languishing in employment limbo post-coronavirus.
“Traditional employers of young people such as retail, hospitality and the arts have been decimated by the restrictions imposed to reduce the impact of COVID-19. Not only are these sectors the traditional hang-outs of young people in search of recreation and their own identity, they are a key source of employment as well,” Mr McDonald said.
“We have seen alarming youth unemployment figures of more than 16 per cent nationally, with many estimating the actual figures are likely to be much higher.
“Having an option to upskill, re-skill or continue to develop skills in an apprenticeship can make a huge difference to the lives of young people, and prevent the devastating effects of long-term unemployment,” he said.
