More than 300 young Victorians have joined the workforce through a Victorian Government program that provides apprenticeship and trainee roles across the state.

Launched last September, the Victorian Apprenticeship Recovery Package supports people aged 15 to 24 into fully funded, 12-month apprenticeships or traineeships with government departments and agencies, and local councils.

Young people were among the most heavily affected by job losses caused by the pandemic, and the program created a crucial opportunity for unemployed people and those coming out of school to get a foot in the door to fulfilling employment while also undertaking training.

The roles are spread across regional and metropolitan areas including Victorian Government hubs in Ballarat and Geelong, and in organisations including VicRoads, Victoria Police, primary and secondary schools, health services and water authorities, including Central Highlands Water.

Participants come away with experience and on-the-job training that will help them secure future employment.

The Government has worked in partnership with the Apprenticeship Employment Network to deliver the program, which has also helped local communities through skills growth and the delivery of valuable services.

The Victorian Apprenticeship Recovery Package was backed by $9 million in funding from the Working for Victoria program which has helped more than 13,000 Victorians and is part of Jobs Victoria’s range of employment services helping get Victorians back to work.

Jobs Victoria is also supporting youth employment through the $250 million Jobs Victoria Fund, which will create thousands of new jobs across the state for priority jobseekers. The Fund offers wage subsidies to support employers to grow their businesses and hire new employees. For more information, go to jobs.vic.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford

“This is about young people learning new skills and gaining invaluable experience in the workplace – setting up a lifetime of fulfilling work.”

“Work means so much more than a weekly pay slip – it instils pride, satisfaction and ambition and it’s wonderful to watch these young men and women take their first steps on an incredible journey.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Trainees like Central Highlands Water’s Mickitja Rotumah-Onus are doing tremendous work – this is a real winner for young people just starting out and for the wider community.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“It’s fantastic that schools like Mount Clear College and Buninyong Primary School along with key Ballarat employers like VicRoads and Ballarat Cemeteries have got on board with this program.”

Quote attributable to Apprenticeship Employment Network executive director Gary Workman

“This program has come at the right time to give young people the opportunity to achieve a qualification through on and off-the-job training. It will also support local communities grow their local skilled workforce for the future.”

Quotes attributable to VicRoads business administration trainee Soraya Schultz

“The traineeship has meant everything to me – it has opened up a world of opportunity.”

“When it comes to the benefits for the future, the sky is the limit. I have the ability to pursue a great career or use the skills I have gained from the traineeship to pursue a career in another field.”