Regional businesses in Australia are successfully trialling and hiring young people through Youth Jobs PaTH, with Queensland leading the way with more than 2,800 young people hired under the program.

Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash is in Townville today where she visited a small business that was successfully using the PaTH program.

“The Turnbull Government is committed to having as many young Australians employed as possible which is why we have implemented a program which is giving young people the skills and experience they need to get into work,” Minister Cash said.

“Through the PaTH program we are getting our youth ready with the appropriate skills, giving them a go through internships and we are getting them a job with targeted incentives for employers.”

Pickerings Auto Group Human Resources Manager Jaret Grant said PaTH paved the way for businesses to hire more young people.

“PaTH is really assisting with the unemployment issues we have in Townsville, by making it simpler for businesses like ours to hire young people. More businesses and young people in the region should use this great opportunity,” Mr Grant said.

Minister Cash said the PaTH program presents great opportunities for regional towns like Townsville, where there are many small businesses.

“By harnessing PaTH, Pickerings has found a fantastic new employee, Steven, who has gained permanent employment, which is precisely what the PaTH program is designed to deliver,” Minister Cash said.

Today, in another move to support jobs for Queenslanders, the Turnbull Government is announcing the extension of the North Queensland Employment Facilitator role.

The North Queensland Employment Facilitator works with local jobactive providers, employers and training organisations to assist workers affected by the transitioning economy to re-enter the workforce.

The Facilitator was appointed in July 2016 and the role was due to end on 30 November 2017. The role will be extended until 30 June 2020, with an approach to market to be released soon.

“Queenslanders are incredibly resilient, but we recognise that the community requires extra assistance to negotiate the economic transitions that are underway," Minister Cash said.

"This Government believes the best form of welfare is a job. The Turnbull Government is therefore taking action to ensure the Townsville region receives additional, targeted assistance to get locals into work as soon as possible.”

The North Queensland Facilitator, Greg Clarke has worked with former Queensland Nickel workers to help them into employment and is working with people affected by Cyclone Debbie.

Mr Clarke has organised a number of jobs forums to link people looking for work with agricultural employers in the region. He is also working with employers as jobs emerge with the continued rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in the Townsville and Mount Isa regions.

For more information about Youth Jobs PaTH, visit jobactive.gov.au/path  

Image courtesy News.com.au