November 2004

Project networks jobs training

A $3.9 million, four-year initiative will increase access to training and employment in some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged communities.

The Employment and Learning Coordinators Network is part of the Government’s innovative Neighbourhood Renewal project.

Neighbourhood Renewal is at the forefront of developing local strategies to address disadvantage in communities—an approach based on national and international best practice.

‘Neighbourhood Renewal involves the Government, local business, support agencies and local people working together to build stronger, more cohesive communities in some of

Victoria’s most disadvantaged areas,’ said Housing Minister Candy Broad.

‘The Employment and Learning Coordinators Network will work with the significant number of people in the Neighbourhood Renewal areas who are either unemployed or who have dropped out of the labour market completely.’

Ms Broad said 13 coordinators had already been recruited to work across the 15 Neighbourhood Renewal sites to work with schools, community centres, local job agencies and government to bring a hands-on approach to linking local residents with education, training and jobs.

Around 1,000 jobs have been created for local residents on Neighbourhood Renewal sites across Victoria under the Community Jobs Program and the Camp Quality initiative in Shepparton, which has offered training for 20 local Aboriginal young people.

The Employment and Learning Coordinators Network announcement was made at the Glen Orden Primary School in Werribee where Minister Broad met coordinators and three residents of the Heathdale Neighbourhood Renewal area participating in the program.