AUS: New Employment Assistance

17 August 1999

SCHOOL LEAVERS AND SCHOOL STUDENTS

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS BOOSTED

Over 61,000 young Australians will get special help to obtain future jobs following the national launch today of the new round of contracts in the Federal Government’s Jobs Pathway Programme (JPP).

Launching the JPP program for 1999-2000 at the Chisholm Institute in Moorabbin, Victoria, Dr David Kemp, the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs announced the 65 successful tenderers to run the JPP in some 1,520 schools across Australia.

Today’s announcement follows yesterday’s Labour Force Statistics showing the lowest level of teenage full-time unemployment on record.

"The JPP, vocational education and training in schools, school-based apprenticeships, Work for the Dole, the Green Corps and other Howard Government initiatives are effectively helping tens of thousands of young people into jobs," said Dr Kemp.

"This new round of JPP contracts will give more young people than ever before effective help towards getting a job.

"The JPP is designed to prevent young leaving school from ‘falling through the cracks’."

"The JPP helps young people in their search for fulfilling careers to seek out the right job opportunities, training or education to help them secure a better future for themselves," said Dr Kemp.

JPP works by giving young people the encouragement and support to continue schooling or to pursue further education or training outside school. JPP provides guidance about the job market, improves literacy and numeracy skills or assists by simply supporting young people while they settle into the work force.

"Young people need to be given a strong message that the best way to secure their future is to invest their time and energy in building up skills and experience, as well as knowledge and awareness of the pathways that lead to employment," said Dr Kemp.

In 1999/ 2000 the JPP will be provided by 65 registered training organisations who have won tenders to supply this service through 1,520 schools across Australia covering every region where there is greatest need for help.

Target groups include:

those who are participating in a school-industry programme which does not necessarily include an employment outcome;
those that would benefit from a school based New Apprenticeship;
those with poor literacy or numeracy skills;
those from a non-English speaking background;
those whose highest level of secondary studies is or was Years 9, 10 or 11; and
Indigenous Australians.
Dr Kemp said the Federal Government is working with the States and Territories to create many options for young people to help themselves get a start in the workforce.

"There is help for young people still at school, school leavers who are getting ready to move into the workforce, as well as young people looking for work.

"The assistance provided through the JPP will complement and provide links with other support mechanisms that are already available to young people including those available in schools (e.g. career guidance and vocational work placement activities) and Commonwealth and State career information and advice services," said Dr Kemp.

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