In one of the most ambitious youth employment campaigns ever undertaken on the Gold Coast, BUSY At Work has set itself a target of placing 101 Gold Coast Year 12 school leavers and youth into apprenticeships and traineeships in six weeks.
The GC101 Apprenticeship campaign was launched today by Federal Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills and Federal Member for McPherson, the Hon Karen Andrews MP.
BUSY At Work CEO, Paul Miles says, “With youth unemployment sitting around 12% on the Gold Coast, it is important that BUSY does everything it can to support our young people, including those Year 12 students who are just finishing school.
“Our commitment to supporting positive social change and providing support to local communities on the Gold Coast is at the heart of all we do. Today we are calling on employers on the Gold Coast who are willing to give a young person the opportunity of a lifetime to contact us at BUSY to help us reach our target.”
The Gold Coast City Council (GCCC) announced their support for the GC101 campaign by taking on the first apprentice under the program. CEO of the GCCC, Dale Dickson says, “I encourage all Gold Coast businesses to seize the moment and take advantage of the GC101 Apprenticeship Program. The financial and other benefits of the program are real and with so much activity in the city, the time is right”.
In the private sector, the General Manager with Von Bibra Robina Auto Village, Martin Simpson said it was important that all employers consider the role they can play in helping our youth gain employment, “I have seen first hand the impact that an apprenticeship can have on a young person’s self-esteem and confidence. I would encourage all businesses on the Gold Coast to get behind this campaign and consider whether they are in a position to give someone their first career break by offering them an apprenticeship.”
BUSY’s Gold Coast Australian Apprenticeship Support Services Team Leader Darrin Larney says, “It is important that employers understand the support services that BUSY At Work provide to make employing an apprentice as easy and efficient as possible.
“For instance there are government incentives to reduce the cost of employment, we also help with individualised screening, testing, streaming and matching service to help select the most suitable apprenticeship, occupation or career pathway.”
Employers can contact BUSY on 13 2879 or go to busyatwork.com.au/gc101
