36 young Aussies in Gilmore are now on the right PaTH in gaining rock solid employment due to the recently started Prepare, Trial and Hire (PaTH) program. Federal Member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis said she was glad to see progress being made at such an early stage in the initiative, but declared there is still a long road ahead. “We have an opportunity in Gilmore to help people get skilled, and then become gainfully employed, the PaTH program is an enabler. If you want to work, we can help you,” she said. The latest employment statistics show that across the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven Youth Unemployment has hit 25.4% this March quarter, however the overall Unemployment rate in Gilmore has dropped 0.1%, from 7.6% to 7.5%. “We have had a win with the overall Unemployment rate in Gilmore, it has been reduced in our region, however I recognise Youth Unemployment is an issue and that is why my Federal Colleagues in Canberra and I are doing everything we can to create opportunities for young people to stand on their own two feet. “To tackle Youth Unemployment, the PaTH program and the $20 million Regional Jobs Investment Package (RJIP) where launched to assist in creating jobs and to help those who want to get a job.” Meanwhile another leading industry organisation has backed in the Turnbull Government’s Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire) program with a commitment to deliver thousands of internships for young Australians. The Australian Retailers Association has confirmed it will partner with the Turnbull Government and deliver up to 10,000 internships to young Australians looking to get into work through the Youth Jobs PaTH program. Minister for Employment, Michaelia Cash, said that Australia’s retail is the single largest employer of young Australians and employs more than 1.2 million people overall. “Today’s announcement will provide more opportunities for thousands of young Australians to learn new skills and showcase their talents in this industry,” Minister Cash said. “The Turnbull Government is pleased that a respected industry leader like the Australian Retailers Association is backing young Australians who are willing to put up their hands and have a go.” ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said retail is not just a place to start work but can deliver a career, with some of Australia’s most successful business people starting on the shop floor. “We are very excited to be a part of the PaTH program. Our retailers are already major employers of young people and these PaTH internships will now provide another way that employers can give young people a go so that they can develop their skills and experience,” he said. “We need our young staff to have basic vocational skills and the mix of retail means you could need food training to tyre fitting qualifications before you can start on the job.” Despite the program being in its infancy, the evidence to date demonstrates the Youth Jobs PaTH model is working — more than 4,800 people have commenced employability skills training courses and more than 6,200 young Australians have found work through the newly reformed youth wage subsidy. The elements of Youth Jobs PaTH are: Prepare — Employability Skills Training (EST) to help young people better understand what employers expect of them in the workplace and equip them with the skills, attitude and behaviours for them to be successful in a job. Trial — under the $250 million ‘Trial’ element, the Government is encouraging local businesses to take on a young person aged 17 to 24 in an internship for a period of up to 12 weeks. Hire — a Youth Bonus wage subsidy of up to $10,000 has been available since 1 January 2017 to help more businesses hire young people. Further information about Youth Jobs PaTH, including internships, is available at: jobactive.gov.au/path
