Refugee Funding
10 May 2021
The South Eastern Melbourne and Peninsula region will benefit from a $166,280 investment to help local job seekers back into work, as part of the Australian Government’s Local Recovery Fund.
The Local Recovery Fund is an important part of the Local Jobs Program and the Australian Government’s Economic Recovery Plan. The first release of 15 local employment projects comprises an initial investment of more than $2 million.
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, said local knowledge and community links will continue to play a vital role in Australia’s recovery from COVID-19.
‘The Local Recovery Fund is supporting Australian communities by both helping people find work and meeting the needs of local employers,’ Minister Robert said.
‘These region-specific projects are the result of collaboration between Employment Facilitators, Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces and the organisations.
‘The South Eastern Melbourne and Peninsula project is one of the initial 15 funded across Australia and this support will be invaluable for regions experiencing high unemployment due to the pandemic.’
Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre will support 64 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and refugee participants to undertake accredited training, creating employment pathways in the aged care and disability services sector.
Senator Van said this locally driven, tailor-made project would address the region’s priorities by providing mentoring, training and reskilling in line with local employment needs.
‘This unique project will provide language, literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and employability skills training support to members of the local CALD and refugee community,’ Senator Van said.
‘Importantly, it will also facilitate job placements for participants within the aged and disability care sector.
‘We want to see as many job seekers as possible across South Eastern Melbourne and Peninsula area upskill and reskill, using solutions developed by our local community.’
The Local Recovery Fund supports regions by funding tailored projects to help align job seekers with employment opportunities in their community.
More details about the Local Jobs Program can be found at www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program
