Program helps young parents secure jobs
APRIL 27, 2018: The Liberal National Government’s ParentsNext program is helping parents with young children move into work once their children are at school.The measure, announced in the 2017-18 Budget, will be expanded from July this year.It's a program that really helps parents with the skills and assistance they need to get into the workforce, leading to better outcomes for their families.The 57 organisations who will deliver the expanded program have now been announced, including the five which are in electorate of Dawson.Access Community Services Limited, Community Solutions Group Limited, Enterprise Management Group Pty Ltd, Jobs Queensland Limited and MDA Limited will be delivering the ParentsNext program in the region.ParentsNext providers will deliver early intervention assistance such as identifying education and employment goals, developing a pathway to achieve them and links to activities and services in the local community.Participants meet regularly with their ParentsNext provider, develop a tailored Participation Plan and complete activities to help prepare them for employment.With approximately 96 per cent of participants expected to be women, including about 10,000 Indigenous women, the program will complement other Government initiatives to increase female participation in the workforce.The program has been successfully operating in 10 locations across Australia, including Mackay and Townsville, since April 2016 and the Government is investing $263 million in its expansion.Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Michaelia Cash, said this will help about 68,000 parents every year who have young children and are at risk of long-term welfare dependency.“The best form of welfare is a job but for many parents, particularly women, caring for young children means long periods out of the paid workforce and it can be hard to get back into it.“The successful ParentsNext providers are experienced in delivering services that meet the needs of parents, especially Indigenous parents, in their communities,” said Minister Cash. For more information visit: www.jobs.gov.au/parents-next