By Kyra Gillespie
Cardinia is among the five regions in the state with the highest rates of youth unemployment, recent statistics reveal.
ABS data shows that in 2016, 12.8 per cent of Cardinia Shire’s and 16.7 per cent of the City of Casey’s labour force aged 15 to 24 years were classed as unemployed compared to 15.9 per cent in Greater Melbourne.
Youth unemployment has risen 29 per cent in Cardinia since the last census in 2011.
Council’s Youth Services Team Leader Emma Firth said more young people are coming to her for help with employment.
“There has been an increase in young people coming to My Place Youth Facility in Pakenham seeking assistance to secure part-time and casual employment,” she said.
“Our 2015 Youth Forum survey showed that work-related stress, money worries and lack of job opportunities are key concerns for people aged 12 to 24 in Cardinia Shire.
“Our shire’s strong population growth over a long period means we have a very competitive local job market. This is placing pressure on young people and causing increasing concern for them about current and future job prospects. “
Ms Firth said work that council is doing in partnership with the City of Casey to help facilitate local jobs growth will deliver significant long term employment benefits for young people.
“It is supporting the growth of existing businesses, helping to attract new businesses and investment to the Casey Cardinia region, and focusing on what the business community needs to grow, invest and employ more local people,” she said.
“Council is also working to establish closer links between education providers and job seekers, and to identify the skills that local industry needs so more people are job ready.
“Feedback that young people give our Youth Services team suggests that career advice given at school could be better aligned with the reality of the current job market.”
Council’s Youth Services Team believe the improvement of local public transport networks are crucial to helping young people get into the workforce.
“Better local public transport networks, which would allow more young people to find employment without needing a drivers’ licence or having to rely on a caregiver for transport to work,” Ms Firth said.
