Sixty disadvantaged young job seekers in the Ballarat area will get extra assistance to build their skills and work experience thanks to new investments from the Australian Government.

Minister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis and Member for Ballarat, Catherine King today announced $282,100 in Australian Government funding for the new Young Adult Empowerment program.

The Young Adult Empowerment program is a joint initiative between the Australian Government, local government and the Committee for Ballarat.

“The Australian Government is committed to working with local communities to help disadvantaged job seekers reach their full potential,” Minister Ellis said.

“This new program will see participants undertaking a four week experience-based empowerment program, giving them the skills they need to find stable and long term employment.

“Upon completion of the program, the participants will be matched with a job provided by one of Committee’s 100 members and will be supported with training and mentoring throughout their first year of employment.”

Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, said that the program represented a terrific opportunity for young unemployed adults in the Ballarat-Bendigo priority employment area to develop the skills they need to get a job.

“With the Committee’s assistance, young adults who participate in this program will receive ongoing workplace support from an external mentor, giving them the best chance of achieving long term employment,” Ms King said.

The Australian Government will invest over $8.5 billion in employment services to get unemployed Australians into work over the next 4 years.