New job mentor program on way

A NEW mentoring program to help Cairns young people gain and retain employment is set to be announced by the State Government today.

The $900,000 Sticking Together pilot scheme will pair 30 young local jobseekers and recently employed young people aged under 25 with one-onone coaching and mentoring support for 60 weeks.

Not-for-profit organisation SYC, which works help disadvantaged young people find accommodation, develop new skills, gain and sustain employment, finish school or reconnect with their families, will deliver the pilot program.

Treasurer and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said more needed to be done specifically to get young jobseekers into work.

“The coaches will work with employers to help them deal with situations that can lead to an employment relationship breaking down,” he said.

“This is about building the skills, confidence and resilience that can help young jobseekers and workers cope with situations both in and out of the workplace.”

The Sticking Together model was rolled out in four trial sites across South Australia and Victoria in January this year.

Employment Minister Grace Grace said Queensland had benefited from what had been learnt from the trials.