PROGRAM TO RECONNECT WYNDHAM WITH JOBS

Wyndham people will get the help they need to re-join the workforce as part of a $47 million expansion of the Reconnect program.

Member for Werribee Tim Pallas today announced Wyndham Community & Education Centre (WCEC) will be one of 34 providers across the state to offer the Reconnect program next.

The Reconnect program helps early school leavers, long-term unemployed, asylum seekers and those on Youth Justice Orders re-enter the workforce or connect with further education opportunities.

The program has been expanded in 2021 to offer assistance to those whose jobs has been affected by either the pandemic or bushfires, offering WCEC funding of $295,850 for 40 local participants to re-enter the workforce and boosting local jobs.

Providers include a mix of TAFEs, Learn Local Organisations and Community Service Organisations, with the program to delivered state-wide.

There will be places for 1700 people in the program in 2021.

The program supports people to complete Learn Local and TAFE courses while providing a range of support services to learners who may face multiple barriers to learning and transitioning to the workforce. These include access to counselling and mentoring, housing and accommodation, and health and wellbeing services.

Since 2016 the program has worked with 7430 people across Victoria and seen thousands of participants transition into accredited training.

New funding terms for providers will be offered on an initial two-year basis, with the opportunity to extend it on a year by year basis until the end of 2024. Reconnect Program funding had previously been provided over three-year periods.

More details on the program can be found here https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/Pages/reconnect-program.aspx

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“WCEC’s delivery of the Reconnect program will help break down the barriers for people in Werribee to reconnect with training and employment through the delivery of vital support mechanisms and links to services.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney

“This expansion of the Reconnect program is ensuring that more people across Victoria will be connected to real pathways for further education and job opportunities essential to Victoria’s economic recovery.”