The Morrison Government is connecting senior secondary students in Gosford, NSW to new opportunities in careers with bright futures through the opening of an Industry Training Hub.
The Gosford Training Hub is one of 10 being trialled across the country as part of the Australian Government's $50.6 million investment to improve opportunities for year 11 and 12 students in regions with high youth unemployment.
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert MP, said young people can face longer periods of unemployment than other age groups, and in regional areas are particularly at risk of falling into the trap of long-term welfare dependency.
'We want to get more young Australians in to high-quality jobs, it is why we are investing over $6.4 billion on skills and training to fund our jobs plan this year which includes our Industry Training Hubs like this one in Gosford,' Minister Robert said.
'Regardless of which path they choose, we are committed to assisting young people across the Central Coast to build skills today that help them get into the jobs of tomorrow and I know that is something Lucy Wicks fights for every single day,'
'Importantly, the Gosford Training Hub will help promote the many opportunities in the vocational education and training sector as a first-choice career option that may have been overlooked in the past.'
Each Training Hub is managed by a full-time Career Facilitator, who will help create better linkages between schools and local industry and encourage students to focus on developing skills for occupations most relevant to their region.
Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks said the Career Facilitator will engage with local employers who are experiencing difficulty finding people with the skills they need and advise senior high school students to help them develop right skills for the right jobs.
'By helping our students build skills and enter the workforce, young people across the Central Coast will develop the skillset and confidence they need to take on a fulfilling job with long-term benefits,' Ms Wicks said.
'Establishing an Industry Training Hub here in Gosford is an important part in building a strong workforce that meets the need of our region.
'This was an incredibly important election commitment for young people across the Central Coast and its fantastic to see the NSW Business Chamber be awarded the contract.
The NSW Business Chamber Limited has been awarded the contract for Gosford. The NSW Business Chamber has nominated Mr Michael Brolly to deliver Industry Training Hub services in Gosford and the surrounding areas.
The opening of the Gosford Training Hub follows six that are already underway in Burnie, Townsville, Maryborough, Port Pirie, Shepparton and Armadale, WA. More Training Hubs will open in Grafton, NSW, Wanneroo, WA and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
More details can be found at: www.dese.gov.au/industry-training-hubs
