By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A HALLAM-BASED youth employment group has been commended by a local state MP this month.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan applauded Youth Works Victoria in Hallam for its range of training courses re-implemented for 2015, including the Diploma of Community Services Work.
Initiatives like the Dead Centre Program are also particularly designed to target local youths in the municipality who have lost a balance in their lives and helps to assist them in reengaging with their family, educators, and the community.
“Youth Works have continued to prevent disengaged youths from falling through the cracks and it’s wonderful to see these young men and women find a sense of direction through the excellent support provided by the staff,” Mr Donnellan said.
Last year, Youth Works Victoria CEO Claude Olivares spoke to the News about youth employment levels in Casey getting worse and his mission to prevent young students from becoming more and more disengaged.
“There are so many young people who have left school early or have been unable to complete further study or training that are now finding themselves unable to find work,” he said.
“We are doing all we can to educate, train and empower these young people but there are always more looking for help.
“These kids need our help, they need our guidance and more must be done to ensure they have the same opportunities as anyone else.”
Youth Works provides a range of programs and services for the youth of Casey to become qualified for future work.
Mr Olivares said one of the biggest current issues in Casey was students dropping out several years before completing their VCE.
“The biggest problem is too many kids dropping out of Year 9 and Year 10, and we have a huge problem with a lot of Pacific Islander youth that are completely disengaged,” he said.
“There’s no agency or resources out there to help them and they fall through the cracks.”
For more information, contact Youth Works on 9796 3724 or at info@youthworksvictoria.org.
