Young people facing barriers to work in Melbourne’s west are set to receive tailored employment and training support through a new Victorian Government-backed initiative launched in St Albans.
The Western Pathways Program, unveiled by Natalie Suleyman at the St Albans Tin Shed, aims to help people aged 15 to 24 build job skills, access mentoring and connect with employment opportunities.
The two-year pilot program is being delivered by Jesuit Social Services in partnership with Opendoor and has received $3.2 million in state government funding.
The initiative will operate across St Albans, Sunshine and Melton, areas where youth unemployment and social disadvantage have remained ongoing concerns for community organisations and local services.
Participants will be offered support including resume preparation, interview coaching, skills assessments, training assistance and job placement services. Referrals to housing and health services will also be available.
The program is focused on young people from multicultural backgrounds, those experiencing unemployment and people considered at risk of involvement with the justice system or who have previously had contact with it.
Speaking at the launch, Ms Suleyman said the government wanted to improve employment pathways for younger residents in the western suburbs.
“Labor is backing young people in the West with the training and support they need to get into work,” she said.
“Through the Western Pathways Program we will continue to back young people to transition into employment.”
Melbourne’s west has experienced rapid population growth over the past decade, with local councils and community groups regularly raising concerns about access to employment, education and support services for younger residents.
According to youth advocacy organisations, barriers such as unstable housing, limited transport options, mental health pressures and lack of work experience continue to affect employment outcomes for some young people in outer suburban areas.
Acting chief executive of Jesuit Social Services, Michael Livingstone, said the partnership aimed to provide practical support grounded in local community needs.
“The Western Pathways Program is a great opportunity to support young people from Melbourne’s west to engage in training and employment outcomes,” he said.
“Working in and alongside local communities, we can make a real difference in improving long-term wellbeing and employment outcomes for young people.”
Graham Dangerfield said the program would focus on place-based and trauma-informed support models designed around individual circumstances.
“We’re proud to partner with Jesuit Social Services and the Victorian Government to deliver a program that supports young people into sustainable employment,” he said.
Employment programs targeting young people have increasingly shifted towards personalised support services in recent years, particularly for participants facing multiple social or economic challenges. Researchers and community organisations have argued that long-term engagement and local partnerships often improve the chances of sustained employment outcomes compared with short-term job placement models alone.
The Victorian Government says the Western Pathways Program is intended to strengthen connections between training providers, employers and support services while helping participants gain stable work and community links closer to home.
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