GOVERNMENT FUNDS LOCAL GROUP TO SKILL UP DISADVANTAGED JOBSEEKERS
The Member for Pascoe Vale, Christine Campbell today announced funding of
$194,800 to the Victorian Cooperative on Children’s Services for Ethnic Groups to deliver the Diversity in the Childcare Workforce project which will place 40 disadvantaged jobseekers into employment.
It is part of a new $5 million Brumby Government jobs initiative that will help more than 560 of Victoria’s most disadvantaged jobseekers find sustainable employment across Victoria.
The New Workforce Partnerships will create 29 new work projects, targeting disadvantaged jobseekers in areas of high unemployment.
“We understand the pressure on workers and their families during this time of global economic crisis, and that’s why we are acting now to secure more jobs for Victorians,” Ms Campbell said.
“We are standing up for vulnerable disadvantaged job seekers in these tough global times, while also helping build the state’s skills base for the future.
“Our Government is focused on securing jobs for Victorians, through our massive infrastructure program, attracting investment to our State and through innovative programs like New Workforce Partnerships.”
The New Workforce Partnerships provides extra resources for partnerships between industry, local government, employment services, unions, training providers and community organisations. Each partnership will use its knowledge and capacity to increase workforce participation and address employer needs. Ms Campbell said.
Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation Jacinta Allan said that 3200 disadvantaged job seekers had already gained employment through the Workforce Participation Partnerships program launched in 2006.
This project will prepare, train and place refugee women and Vietnamese outworkers into a job in childcare and family day care. Ms Campbell said.
“The close involvement of Victorian employers is another strength of the program with over 1500 Victorian businesses benefiting with employment outcomes.” Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation said.
Ms Allan said the Brumby Government had invested more than $300 million in workforce participation programs since coming to Government in 1999.