The council has received grant funding to roll out the Eurobodalla Youth Employment Strategy, or E-YES project, to help youth overcome barriers to employment and develop their skills and knowledge.

The project will establish relationships with young people and local employers, primarily in the Eurobodalla’s areas of greatest employment growth – health, hospitality, tourism, retail and construction. Its focus is on providing youth with accredited training, work experience and involvement with employers who need staff.

The council’s Employment Projects Coordinator Rhonnie South said the aim was to get 50 young people in permanent employment by 2020.

“It’s sad to think that our kids have to leave because they can’t find work. Through the collective power of the local community we can provide opportunities for our young people to build a rewarding career while enjoying all that Eurobodalla has to offer,” Ms South said.

“We will identify real jobs with local employers, then link them with motivated job seekers. Come February, the team will hit the streets talking to businesses to find who has work to offer, then provide these opportunities to young job seekers.”

Ms South said the E-YES program would complement, rather than replace, youth employment and training services already offered in the Eurobodalla.

“We want to work collaboratively with registered training organisations, local businesses, JobActive providers, community groups, schools and the young people themselves,” she said.

“We’ll be looking at things like school-based apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities, expanding Council’s youth employment trainee scheme, a jobs drive, a jobs board and potentially, returning a career expo to the shire. We’ll have lots of exciting programs happening in 2019, so if you’re a young person looking or a job, or a businesses who wants to employ a young person, talk to us now.”

The program already has 16 opportunities available for school-based apprenticeships that start in early 2019.  Employment is with IRT and Estia Health and students can choose to study a Certificate III in either individual support, business administration, allied health assistance, or hospitality.

“This is an excellent opportunity for young people to live and work locally, earn money while at school and work toward gaining a qualification in one of the most thriving sectors in Eurobodalla,” Ms South said.

For more information contact 4474 1296 or email employmentprojects@esc.nsw.gov.au