Vinnies Services in Deniliquin first hosted the program in 2017 with great success.
With funding recently provided to them, they have re-launched the program in 2019.
Vinnies Reconnect team leader Vanessa McKay said the 10 week program is targeted at young people aged between 15 and 24, and particularly those who are at risk of disengagement or who have already disengaged in the education system.
‘‘This allow them to get a qualification or entry level qualification that will help young people get back up on their feet,’’ she said.
The program specifically targets employment skills development, employment and career pathways, and transitions into employment, aimed at young people who are seeking a traineeship, apprenticeship, part-time employment or full-time employment.
It was initially developed after many young people in the local area were found to just want a job, but struggled with the basics of being job ready.
‘‘We were lucky enough to receive a grant that allows us to run this again. Ms McKay said
Last year we used the funds to do things such as barista training, responsible service of alcohol or food handling, with everything being offered as needed on identified basis.
‘‘It is all free and allows you to achieve goals in education.
‘‘We are also a registered Work Development Organisation so if someone comes in with fines, each session we log and report their attendance and it comes off their fines like a payment.
‘‘This gives them the ability to pay off their fines and get back on their feet as well as overall achieving another level of education.’’
The program runs for four hours a week and starts on Wednesday, February 20 but is accessible to the public until the program is full.
For more information phone Tamara Sefton at Vinnies Services Deniliquin on 5881 7411.
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