Community Resources has partnered with Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) to support young people and jobless families to obtain secure employment in two NSW regional locations: Mid-North Coast and the Illawarra.
Despite a record-tight labour market, the national youth unemployment rate is 8.2%, and there were 1.4 million jobless families in June 2022. Young Australians and jobless families continue to face systemic barriers to employment, coupled with challenging economic conditions, including rising cost of living and stagnant wage growth.
Aligning with Community Resources’ mission to create jobs that care for people and planet, the social enterprise successfully secured PRF funding to launch the ‘Strive for Success’ program to support the people most impacted by these issues. The initiative will run for three years, enabling 450 young people in the Mid-North Coast and the Illawarra to reconnect with education and training, become work ready and secure meaningful employment.
The program will focus on supporting young people experiencing barriers to employment, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing disadvantage; refugees or humanitarian entrants; early school leavers and disengaged youth; people who have had contact with the criminal justice system; those who are homeless or in precarious housing; those addicted to illicit substances, or people experiencing mental illness.
Josephine Khalil, PRF’s Head of Employment, says, “We are confident in Community Resources’ ability to secure positive employment outcomes for the target 450 clients through the Strive for Success program because of its historical success in this area. This will contribute to a real shift in impact within these regional communities and provide young people with more opportunities to achieve economic dignity”.
Homebase Youth Services and Green Connect will collaborate to deliver the program in the Mid-North Coast and the Illawarra, respectively. The program will build on the successful outcomes achieved by these two services over the past 25 years.
Lisa Berry, Community Services General Manager, says, “PRF funding for Strive for Success isn’t just about an investment in jobs; it’s an investment in a brighter future for our communities. It will empower young people and families while strengthening economic growth”.
Robert Servine, Green Connect General Manager, says, “Entering the employment market is often daunting for young people, particularly in regional areas where there may be fewer opportunities. We’re proud to partner with PRF to deliver the Strive for Success program, helping young people gain experience, overcome barriers and succeed in today’s workforce”.
Key Facts:
– Despite a record-tight labour market, the national youth unemployment rate is 8.2%, and there were 1.4 million jobless families in June 2022. Young Australians and jobless families continue to face systemic barriers to employment, coupled with challenging economic conditions, including rising cost of living and stagnant wage growth.
– National not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity Community Resources has partnered with the Paul Ramsay Foundation to launch the ‘Strive for Success’ program, supporting young people and jobless families in two NSW regional locations – the Mid-North Coast and the Illawarra – to overcome barriers and obtain secure employment.
– The initiative will run for three years, enabling 450 young people in the two regions to reconnect with education and training, become work ready and secure meaningful employment.
About us:
Backgrounder
Community Resources
National not-for-profit social enterprise and registered charity Community Resources creates jobs that care for people and planet. Community Resources runs three environmental repair social enterprises – Green Connect, Soft Landing and Resource Recovery Australia – and a range of Community Services for vulnerable people in need, such as Aboriginal people, young people and those subject to domestic and family violence. Last year Community Resources provided jobs for 684 people across Australia, 76% of them experiencing barriers to employment.
Paul Ramsay Foundation
Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) is one of Australia’s largest charitable foundations. They invest in and partner with organisations and communities across Australia that focus on enabling people and places to thrive. They build the capability of organisations and the for-purpose sector and aim to influence through collaboration and advocacy.
Strive for Success Program
The ABS Labour Force survey for August 2023 showed the national unemployment rate in Australia at 3.7% with the national youth unemployment rate sitting at 8.2%, and 1.4 million jobless families in June 2022. These figures reflect that despite a record-tight labour market in Australia, many people continue to face systemic barriers to employment and economic dignity. This is coupled with challenging economic conditions – high inflation, rising costs of living and stagnant wage growth. Those most impacted by this are least able to absorb the additional pressure.
Funding from PRF will enable CR to launch its Strive for Success initiative to support the people most impacted by these issues. The three-year program will enable 450 young people and households with children with no one employed in the Mid-North Coast and Illawarra regions to reconnect with education and training, become work ready and secure meaningful employment.
