Photo: HRM online

Brimbank Mayor Cr Margaret Giudice said Council was pleased to endorse the draft Brimbank Youth Jobs Strategy for public exhibition.

“Youth unemployment is a big issue in Brimbank and in recognition of the central role of employment in young people’s lives; Council has developed its first Youth Jobs Strategy.

“Council recognises employment is a key determinant of health and wellbeing and offers a critical pathway out of disadvantage for young people in Brimbank.

“We know that job creation and economic growth are central to addressing disadvantage, but the research indicates national and regional job growth does not provide trickle down benefits to vulnerable young people.

“Data from the most recent Census (ABS 2016) indicates 2,910 young people living in Brimbank are experiencing unemployment, which is well above the State average.

“These levels of unemployment are disturbing and Council wants to turn this around. The draft Strategy has created a framework for effectively considering and responding to high youth unemployment rates in the Brimbank,” said Cr Giudice.

The draft Brimbank Youth Jobs Strategy 2018-2023 builds on learnings from the Brimbank-led Western Youth Employment Partnership (WYEP) and WYEP Action Plan 2017-2019.

The draft Strategy aims to:

• Create a framework to effectively consider and respond to high youth unemployment rates in Brimbank.
• Establish a leading practice approach and working alongside young people who live, work or socialise in Brimbank and putting them at the centre of framing youth unemployment problems and solutions.
• Consolidate lessons from case studies and initiatives (local to global, past and present) to improve youth employment outcomes in Brimbank.
• Illustrate practical ways to change negative stereotypes impacting young people experiencing unemployment in Brimbank.

The community is invited to have their say, and the draft Strategy is open for community consultation for four weeks commencing 20 July to 17 August.

The draft Brimbank Youth Jobs Strategy 2018-2023 is available to view and provide feedback on Council’s website brimbank.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay and at Council’s Customer Service Centres, libraries and neighbourhood houses or call 9249 4000.