YOUNG Australians and small businesses are on the path to opportunity thanks to a new partnership announced today, Small Business Minister Michael McCormack says.
"The Australian Retailers' Association will partner with the Government and offer internship opportunities to up to 10,000 young Australians through the Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire) program," Mr McCormack said.
"This is fantastic news for young people under 25 across the country, as more people get the job skills they need through retail business experience that can in turn look to young Australians to help their business grow."
Applauding today’s partnership, Mr McCormack said small businesses in the retail sector often give young Australians their start in the workforce.
"I have met many retail small businesses that help thousands of young Australians get a start, skilling them for careers in many industries and training them for the future," Mr McCormack said.
"By partnering with the PaTH program, small businesses in retail will now offer even more young Australians who are searching for work the hand up they need, while the Government backs small business with practical support, including wage subsidies, lower tax and access to the $20,000 instant asset write off."
Mr McCormack said skilling young Australians is something small businesses often raise with him.
"Many small businesses tell me that young Australians with skills in trades – including retail – are just what they are looking for," Mr McCormack said.
"From customer service to money-handing and stocktake to food-handling and tyre-fitting, retail small businesses require skills that can last a lifetime.
"That’s why I am excited to see another industry back in the PaTH program. It will help even more young Australians get the opportunity they require, with the training and support they need for long-term employment."
Mr McCormack commended Employment Minister Michaelia Cash for partnering with small business to help more Australians get a job.
"With more than 3.2 million small businesses employing half the workforce, it is a vital sector to help more Australians get into employment and develop long-term careers – and the results so far show it is working," Mr McCormack said.
Youth Jobs PaTH includes:
Prepare — Employability Skills Training (EST) to help young people better understand what employers expect of them in the workplace and equip them with the skills, attitude and behaviours for them to be successful in a job.
Trial — under the $250 million ‘Trial’ element, the Government is encouraging local businesses to take on a young person aged 17 to 24 in an internship for a period of up to 12 weeks.
Hire — a Youth Bonus wage subsidy of up to $10,000 has been available since 1 January 2017 to help more businesses hire young people.
Further information about Youth Jobs PaTH, including internships, is available at the Jobactive website.