The Bankstown Local Advisory Group has officially launched its Strategic Plan to drive education and employment opportunities in Bankstown.
The Bankstown Local Advisory Group was established as a part of the Federal Government’s Better Futures, Local Solutions initiative. This initiative aims to provide targeted support to increase social and economic participation in the Bankstown Local Government Area.
The four projects that have been funded under the Better Futures, Local Solutions are:
- $240,000 allocated to the YFutures Project which aims to mentor young people at risk of homelessness;
- $137,955 allocated White Lion Incorporated to fund their employment program to help vulnerable young people to find a job;
- $45,000 allocated to Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre to help support young people stay in school; and
- $205,608 for Bankstown Multicultural Youth Service Incorporated to assist young people at risk of unemployment attain Certificate II training and offer mentoring programs to help them find a job.
Minister for Human Services Senator Kim Carr said he was pleased to see the Local Advisory Group engaging the community through the Better Futures, Local Solutions initiative.
“The Gillard Labor Government is working with the Bankstown local community – drawing on expertise to help people into jobs and training, and identify gaps in local services,” Senator Kim Carr said.
Federal Member for Blaxland, Jason Clare today attended the official launch with over two hundred members of the Bankstown community.
“This is great news for our local community,” Mr Clare said.
“The best thing we can do to support young people in our local community is help them find a job, and keep it.
Member for Watson Tony Burke said the Local Advisory Group had already begun making a difference to the Bankstown community.
“Through the Local Solutions Fund, the group has been able to allocate funding to four community projects,” said Mr Burke.
“Projects like White Lion Employment and Bridge to Independence target unemployed youth, providing pathways to training and work. YFutures and School, Work and Play are projects which support youth at risk of homelessness and vulnerable high school students to complete their education and guide them to be ready for work in the future.”
Member for Banks Daryl Melham said the launch marked the start of a new way of addressing community needs in the area.
“In the coming weeks the Local Advisory Group will host a series of community workshops with people and organisations that provide services to the local community. This will help identify what’s out there, and how groups might work together to help people here in Bankstown,” Mr Melham said.
For more information on the Local Advisory Group and their work in Bankstown visit humanservices.gov.au/bfls.
