The Illawarra Business Chamber will employ a full-time IllawarraYES coordinator for two years to manage the delivery of youth employment programs.
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It follows a successful pilot of the Illawarra Youth Employment Strategy (IllawarraYES).
And the NSW Government approving funding for the coordinator to drive the continuation of the strategy.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast Gareth Ward MP announced the funding at an event marking one year since the strategy first started.
Mr Ward said over the next couple of years the coordinator will help deliver activities and initiatives successfully established and trialed through the pilot during the the 12 month pilot.
Illawarra Business Chamber/Illawarra First executive director Chris Lamont said the peak business body welcomed the opportunity to play a key role in taking IllawarraYES forward and helping more young people in the region find work.
Mr Lamont said to date 11 IllawarraYES pre-employment programs have been delivered for young job seekers in key growth sectors in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, the Southern Highlands and the Shoalhaven.
They have included ContactCentreYES, HosptialityYES and Retail Ready.
“The involvement of industry is critical in ensuring that initiatives such as IllawarraYES translate into jobs for participants,” Mr Lamont said.
“Given the chamber’s representation of businesses across the region, we are well placed to help establish and drive partnerships and programs that help meet the needs of young job seekers and industry alike”.
Training for IllawarraYES pre-employment programs is subsidised by the NSW Department of Industry - Training Services NSW, through Smart & Skilled.
Recruitment is about to begin in the search for the new IllawarraYES coordinator. The new two year role is expected to be filled within the next month and the role to begin in August.