Creating a path to real jobs for young people in Isaacs

Liberal candidate for Isaacs, Garry Spencer, has encouraged young people and businesses from Isaacs suburbs like Braeside, Dandenong South and Carrum Downs to view the new Youth Employment Package.

Mr Spencer strongly endorses the Turnbull Government’s national economic plan for jobs and growth that will create jobs for people of all ages and a new path to help young people in Isaacs get a job.

“The new Youth Employment Package builds on initiatives introduced by the Turnbull Government last year to help build youth employment,” Mr Spencer said.

“In the last 18 months, 50,000 more young Australians have found jobs, but there is more work to be done,” Mr Spencer said.

Mr Spencer said the Turnbull Government will invest $840.3 million over four years in a Youth Employment Package to assist up to 120,000 vulnerable young people make the most of job opportunities as the economy diversifies and transitions to broader-based growth.

“The new measures will further boost young people’s job prospects by helping them to be better prepared for the workplace and encouraging more businesses to open the door to them,” Mr Spencer said.

“My number one priority is to see jobs created in the local community for people of all ages. With an uncertain global economy, Isaacs needs the Turnbull Government’s economic plan which will deliver jobs and growth for all in our community,” Mr Spencer said.

At the core of the package is the Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire), a $751.7 million initiative to help maximise the chances of job seekers under 25 getting a job. The programme involves three flexible stages.

From 1 April 2017, up to 30,000 young job seekers each year will be eligible to undertake an internship placement of 4 to 12 weeks. The internships will be voluntary and provide incentives of $1,000 upfront to a business to host an intern and a $200 fortnightly payment to job seekers on top of their income support.

From 1 January 2017 a Youth Bonus wage subsidy of between $6,500 and $10,000 will be available to businesses who take on an eligible young job seeker. As part of this measure, existing wage subsidies will be streamlined, making them easier for employers to access.

“These three initiatives – pre-employment training, real work experience and wage subsidies – have been proven to help young people get a job and stay in a job,” Mr Spencer said.

“The Turnbull Government economic plan will deliver jobs and growth for Isaacs,” Mr Spencer said.