A youth employment specialist has started work this week and will be based at the Ulladulla Youth Centre to help young people find jobs.
After her induction the caseworker, one of six to be appointed at South Coast locations, will provide intensive pre-employment support to improve young job hunters’ work readiness.
The other five will work at Nowra, Vincentia, Batemans Bay, Moruya and Bega.
Two local Milton Ulladulla businesses have already contacted the Youth Centre for more details about how they might get involved in the program to channel seekers into work including apprenticeships or traineeships, or into education.
The six youth employment specialists’ key focus will be on helping young people understand what is expected in the workplace and helping them to develop the skills, attitudes and behaviour that employers look out for.
South Coast Program Manager for Mission Australia which runs Ulladulla Youth Centre, Elizabeth O’Connell, says around Milton Ulladulla one in four 18-24 year-olds are not fully engaged in education or employment (factoring in part time employees).
She hopes new recruits can help address the scarring effects of longer term unemployment that affects health and reduces prospects for future jobs.
The appointments will be funded by a Federal Department of Employment Transition to Work program to help youngsters aged 15-21 who are not employed or in education.
