Australian Government To Jobseekers: Find Out The Policy Initiatives That Can Work For You

The Australian government is investing $ 5.1 billion in a “new employment-services model” to meet the needs of job seekers, employers, and employment-service providers. In an exclusive interview, the country's Department of Employment shared with International Business Times Australia some important government initiatives focused on creating more job opportunities in the country.

The $ 5.1 billion initiative will be rolled out from July 1 this year. Young professionals can take advantage of the “targeted training and practical support,” which are included in this initiative. “[It is expected there will be] more jobs for professionals than for any other occupational group over the next five years,” according to the projections by the Department of Employment.

The Department of Employment has provided IBT AU with a list of government initiatives supporting the country's job seekers. These initiatives include economic support for job seekers, as well as new avenues for the job seekers to gain a certain level of expertise prior to joining the workforce.

Australian Apprenticeship Support Network and Trade Support Loans

The Australian government will start investing $ 200 million every year, starting from July 1, to establish a new Australian Apprenticeship Support Network. The initiative is aimed at increasing the apprenticeship completion rates. Both employers and employees will benefit from this initiative, as it will help job seekers gain expertise, and subsequently secure their jobs. This will also provide employers with the much needed skilled workforce.

According to the Department of Employment, young professionals will be able to get “career advice with dedicated support outside their workplace throughout their apprenticeship.” The Australian government is offering up to $20,000 in Trade Support Loans to encourage apprenticeship in the country.

Job Commitment Bonus

Job seekers aged between 18 and 30 will be paid $ 6500 through this initiative, if they get a job and remain in continuous, gainful work and off income support for two years. According to the Department of Employment, this initiative will “encourage long-term unemployed job seekers” to “find and keep a job.”

Training for Employment Scholarship

The government will invest $ 38 million in regions where youth unemployment is high to provide job-specific training for new employees, according to the Australian Department of Employment. Small to medium businesses will receive funding to train -- for up to 26 weeks -- unemployed individuals, aged 18 to 24. Some 7,500 scholarships will be provided initially under this initiative.

“For too long, businesses have been unable to find employees to meet their needs because the applicants lack the specific skills required for the job. Equally, enthusiastic young job seekers have been unable to secure jobs because they do not have training to meet the specific workplace needs,” the Department of Employment said in a statement.

Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job

Many of the job seekers may be living in areas where unemployment levels are high. The Relocation Assistance initiative addresses this issue, specifically the problem of “high moving costs.” Job seekers can get up to $ 6000 under this initiative, if they move to a regional area, and $ 3000 if they move to a metropolitan area. An additional $ 3000 will be provided to families with dependent children.

Youth Employment Pathways

Young professionals can plan their career by “returning to school, starting vocational education training or moving into the workforce,” according the Department of Employment. This initiative will allow community organisations to “develop and provide a training plan to meet individual needs, such as job search and industry-specific job training.” The Training for Employment Scholarship and Youth Employment Pathways initiatives will start in March 2015.

Work for the Dole

According to the Department of Employment, the government has “reinvigorated” the Work for the Dole initiative from July 1, 2014 to help more young job seekers aged 18 to 30. The initiative is aimed at improving the job seekers’ chances at getting a job while giving something back to the community that supports them.

The department also said in a statement that the Work for the Dole was an important part of the government’s plan to help young job seekers. “It provides participants with the chance to demonstrate many of the skills and behaviours that employers look for in candidates, such as commitment, teamwork and punctuality.”

Green Army Initiative

The Australian government is not only focused on job growth; it also supports young professionals who are passionate about the environment. According to the Department of Employment, the government has allocated $ 525 million for the initiative lasting for over four years. The initiative has reportedly mobilised the largest team of 17 to 24-year-old young workers to support environmental action.

Young Australians who take part in the initiative “will be able to help deliver important local conservation outcomes as part of the Green Army,” according to the Department of Employment. The initiative is said to be a “practical, grassroots environmental action programme that supports local environment and heritage conservation projects across Australia.”

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at s.trivedi@ibtimes.com.au.