The federal government has pledged to deliver $600,000 in funding to Skillset to assist in providing career advice for 25 to 44 year olds either out of work or looking for a new employment pathway.
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The funding will assist the Skillset Career Link Central West program, which has been designed to deliver face-to-face career advice to clients across 11 local government areas [LGA's].
Calare MP Andrew Gee said the funding was delivered through the federal government's National Careers Institute, and is designed to help more local people get into the workforce.
"It's important we provide assistance for that 25 to 44 age bracket, where Skillset has identified a significant gap in the market for career support," Mr Gee said.
"The program will be based in Bathurst but with 11 local government areas set to benefit, it will give people in communities large and small the opportunity to progress their careers and secure the job they're looking for."
"We know the younger demographic has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19 in terms of employment, and this program will aim to support those who are struggling to find work, as well as those after a career change."
Skillset chief executive officer Craig Randazzo said the program will be delivered across the RDA Central West footprint, which represents more than 180,000 residents and a local economy supporting 74,000 jobs.
"We're enthusiastic about getting young people involved in a trade...even with COVID-19, we're still seeing skill shortages and demand for project manager and heavy industry roles," Mr Randazzo said.
"We sometimes see bias among parents wanting their children to follow a strict pathway into university, but there's also a need for younger people to understand the benefits of a trade."
Mr Randazzo said the partnership with RDA Central West will enhance the program through the provision of up-to-date data regarding the status of various job sectors to assist in the support process.
"RDA will inform our consultants on which sectors are in high demand for workers to ensure each client is able to seek out an ideal career," he said.
"This program is open to people from Lithgow to Condobolin, and everywhere in between."
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