Help for young parents in Mackay and Townsville

MAY 18, 2017: Disadvantaged parents of young children in Townsville and Mackay will soon have access to the training and support they need to become work ready, thanks to the Liberal National Government’s decision to expand the successful ParentsNext program.The best form of welfare is a job and we are focused on helping more parents of young children into work and off welfare.After successful pilots, the Government is rolling out ParentsNext nationally, to connect more parents of young children with personalised support to improve their work readiness by the time their children start school.20 new locations have been selected for the next rollout of this program, and both Townsville and Mackay are included.Since launching in April last year, ParentsNext has made a real difference in the lives of young parents and their families, giving them the support and help they need to get ready to work.ParentsNext participants receive personalised assistance, including advice on relevant education and qualifications, and training to improve numeracy and literacy.When mums and dads take time out from work to raise small children it can be difficult to find a way back into the workforce when their children start school.It can be even more daunting and difficult for those parents who may not have worked previously and don’t have the skills or experience that employers are looking for.In Mackay and Townsville we have many families receiving Parenting Payment. ParentsNext will be a real opportunity for many of those parents to get the assistance they need to get work ready.More information about ParentsNext is available at www.employment.gov.au/parents-next