650 women facing disadvantage in NSW are set to benefit from an innovative government initiative that will equip them with the skills needed to achieve sustained employment or start their own business.
Training Services NSW Executive Director, David Collins, said the initiative, delivered in partnership with the Office of Social Impact Investment (OSII) in NSW Treasury under the Social Impact Outcomes Fund, will advance the social and economic wellbeing of women facing barriers to employment.
"At its core, the initiative will enable job-focused social enterprises to provide essential skills, training and wraparound support to women striving to overcome obstacles, with employment including self-employment as the ultimate objective," Mr Collins said.
Office of Social Impact Investment Director Aleksandra Simic said these programs are funded through Payment-by-Results contracts, where a portion of funding is linked to the achievement of outcomes.
"Investing in women's economic wellbeing has long-term benefits for not only the women supported, but for their families and communities, leading to better intergenerational outcomes."
After an open and competitive selection process, five social enterprises have been selected to deliver this initiative to support around 650 women over the next two to four years:
- Global Sisters – supporting single mothers start their own business.
- Scriibed – supporting women survivors of domestic and family abuse into technology enabled flexible work.
- Success Work Partners – supporting women with experience of the justice system gain employment.
- The Bread and Butter Project – supporting female refugees with training and skills into baking careers.
- yourtown – supporting young women who are long term unemployed with paid work experience in their social enterprise.
Melanie Greblo, Founder and CEO of Scriibed, said partnering with the NSW Government is incredibly exciting.
"Through this contract with the NSW Government we have our goals set on truly changing the trajectory for women survivors of domestic and family abuse," Ms Greblo said.
"Our supported employment provides flexibility and accessibility, and remuneration that ensures women survivors avoid the poverty trap that is often par for the course for survivors." Mandy Richards, Founder and CEO of Global Sisters said their intention is to make business a genuine possibility for solo mums.
"It helps us take one step closer to our vision for a world where every woman is financially independent and where self-employment is a genuine option for any woman who chooses that pathway," she said.
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