Funding for Parent Employment Programs
11 January 2016 at 9:45 am
The Federal Government is calling for organisations to apply for funding under a new projects-based program, ParentsNext, and put forward ideas on how to ensure parents do not fall into long-term unemployment.
The Government said that starting on 4 April 2016 across 10 local government areas, ParentsNext would assist parents with young children by arranging activities and connecting them to local services to prepare them for work by the time their children are at school.
Minister for Employment Senator Michaelia Cash said ParentsNext would offer new approaches to engaging parents with young children to actively plan and prepare for employment.
“ParentsNext will help parents with young children at risk of long term unemployment to gain the skills and build the networks they need to be able to get a job once their child is old enough to go to school,” Senator Cash said.
“This is an important step towards reducing intergenerational unemployment and welfare dependency.
“ParentsNext will help these parents combine planning and preparation for employment with their parenting responsibilities and will connect parents to local organisations that can help them update their qualifications and skills, and gain recognition of prior skills.”
Cash said this could include TAFE, secondary schools, training providers and employment services.
The government said it was now seeking proposals for projects that may be funded under ParentsNext from organisations committed to improving the employment prospects and economic security of Australian families.
The Department of Employment will conduct information sessions for potential applicants in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, and two webinar sessions.
ParentsNext projects will operate in Bankstown, NSW, Wyong, NSW, Shellharbour, NSW, Greater Shepparton, Victoria, Hume, Victoria, Logan, Queensland, Rockhampton, Queensland, Playford, SA, Kwinana, WA, and Burnie, Tasmania.
The ParentsNext grant guidelines and application pack are available at the Employment Services Procurement Information website.
Applicants must lodge their completed application before 5pm AEDT on 3 February 2016.
