The Department of Education and Training’s Reconnect Program is to be expanded to help people who’ve lost jobs due to the pandemic, or last summer’s bushfires, re-join the work force.
Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education, Gayle Tierney announced that $47 million had been allocated to extend the Program for a further four years, and expand it to support more people looking to re-enter the workforce or connect them with further education opportunities.
“The Reconnect Program is aimed at early school leavers, long-term unemployed, asylum seekers and those on Youth Justice Orders and is designed to act as a pathway to further education or employment opportunities,” Ms Tierney said.
“The Program provides students with tailored, one-on-one support and offers a range of support services – like counselling, mentoring, housing support, education opportunities, and health and wellbeing services – to school leavers, long-term unemployed, asylum seekers and those on Youth Justice Orders,” she said.
“The expansion offers additional assistance to those whose jobs has been affected by either the pandemic or bushfires.”
Ms Tierney said the Program was currently offered by 26 TAFEs and Learn Local Registered Training Organisations across 70 Local Government areas.
“Since 2016 the Program has worked with 7,425 people across Victoria and seen thousands of participants transition into accredited training,” she said.
Further information on the Reconnect Program can be accessed on the Department’s website at this PS News link.
