Today, the Turnbull Government is delivering on its promise to get more young people off welfare and into work with the launch of the Youth Jobs PaTH program.

 

The Turnbull Government’s Youth Jobs PaTH program will assist 120,000 young Australians into internships to help them gain real world, practical experience in a business.

 

A common concern held by many young Australians is that they do not have the required experience to enter the workforce, yet that experience can only be gained by being employed – the PaTH program addresses this problem.

 

It is critical that young people are equipped with the work-ready skills they need and employers demand so that they are able to get a job and become valuable contributors to the Australian workforce.

 

Federal Member for Banks, David Coleman MP, said local businesses in his electorate were excited about this innovative program and encouraged employers to trial an intern for a future position, or hire a young person with the assistance of a Youth Bonus wage subsidy.

 

“It is fantastic to see local businesses supporting our young people who are keen to get their first job. It’s great for business, great for the local community and great for the economy,” Mr Coleman said.

 

Owner of RMW Joinery, Raymond Wiki, said his business prides itself on the quality of the projects it delivers and its reputation for professional workmanship.

 

“We’re a small business, and I rely on my employees to maintain our reputation. The Youth Jobs PaTH will help me give a chance to those young people who are serious about getting a job and having a go,” Mr Wiki said. 

 

The Turnbull Government recognises the best way to get more young people into work is to build a strong economy that enables employers to be more productive, more competitive, more innovative and to create more job opportunities.

 

Every policy lever the government has at its disposal is being utilised to promote growth, encourage investment, stimulate job creation and support businesses.”

 

The Youth Jobs PaTH program will be funded through the Turnbull Government’s $855 million Youth Employment Package, announced in the 2015-16 Budget.

 

The Youth Jobs PaTH program complements the Turnbull Government’s successful Government’s Transition to Work service and Empowering YOUth initiative, all of which are designed to get vulnerable young Australians into the workforce.

 

The Turnbull Government intrinsically understands that the best form of welfare is a job and so we are ensuring our young Australians are well equipped to enter the workforce and become self-sufficient.

 

The elements of Youth Jobs PaTH are:

• Prepare — Employability Skills Training (EST) to help young people better understand what employers expect of them in the workplace and equip them with the skills, attitude and behaviours for them to be successful in a job. The rollout of courses commences this month.

• Trial — under the $250 million ‘Trial’ component, the Government is encouraging local businesses to take on a young person aged 17 to 24 in an internship for a period of up to 12 weeks.

• Hire — a Youth Bonus wage subsidy of up to $10,000 has been available since 1 January 2017 to help more businesses hire young people. More than 1,600 businesses have already taken up this subsidy.

 

Further information about Youth Jobs PaTH is available at jobactive.gov.au/path