The Morrison Government has announced that Skill360 has been chosen to pilot an industry-led employment pathway for young people in Cairns and Townsville.
The Youth Jobs PaTH industry pilot will focus on connecting young people to employers in retail, accommodation and food services, administration, and support services.
The pilot will help young people learn the skills that employers need, and gives them a chance to demonstrate those skills in the workplace.
Under the pilot businesses can also receive a wage subsidy of up to $10,000 for eligible participants, to help settle them into the workplace.
Federal Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Minister Michaelia Cash said the nine pilot locations across the nation are a direct response to calls from industry for greater input in selecting, training, matching and supporting young job seekers.
She said this initiative was announced during the federal election campaign.
“The government is delivering on creating more employment pathways to real jobs for young people,” Ms Cash said.
“The $10 million Youth Jobs PaTH industry pilots will equip young people with real training and experience through industry-led pathways that lead directly to jobs where we know there is demand for more workers.”
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said being selected for an industry pilot was a great boost for young people in Cairns and Townsville.
He said Skill360 will work with employers, training organisations and employment services providers in the region to deliver the pilot to eligible young job seekers in North and Far North Queensland.
“The pilot is focused on retail, accommodation and food services, administration, and support services where there is strong demand for more workers,” Mr Entsch said.
“It will provide young people with real-world training and work experience, while testing the effectiveness of industry-led job pathways.
“This pilot will deliver practical and tailored support so our young people can get a head start on a rewarding career.”
