Now that Labor has pledged to continue funding Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) across the state beyond 2014, attention turns to whether the Coalition government will step up and match the commitment ahead of November’s state election.
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The opposition’s promise to distribute $32 million over four years so organisations including Central Grampians Local Learning Employment Network (CGLLEN) can continue to provide targeted youth programs which support young people at risk of disengaging, or who have already disengaged from education and training is a positive development for the region.
It is even more pressing given last week’s release of Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showing the unemployment rate for 15-19 year olds is at a 17 year high of 20 per cent.
Lost in the numbers, well that means for almost every group of five middle aged teenagers, one of them is living without the many and varied benefits of employment.
They are merely existing, living each day with little to no involvement in an environment that equips them with the life skills to be an ongoing contributor and functioning member of society.
Young people in the Ararat and Stawell region’s need support as they embark on life after school and if we as a community want them to stick around we need to get behind CGLLEN’s efforts to improve their participation, engagement, attainment and transition outcomes.
