STEPS Education & Training is partnering with the Australian government to deliver ‘Youth Care Sunshine Coast’, a pilot industry-led employment pathway to help Sunshine Coast young people into sustainable careers.
STEPS will deliver this exciting new pilot over 18 months as three six-month intakes, starting in February on the Sunshine Coast in the aged care, home care and disability sectors.
The industry pilot will combine elements of Youth Jobs PaTH employment services that help young people learn the skills that employers need and gives them a chance to demonstrate those skills in the workplace.
It also provides comprehensive support that will enable each participant to identify & develop strategies to overcome barriers to successful study, gaining & retaining employment, managing personal relationships & responsibilities, communication skills & self-management.
STEPS Education & Training executive manager Joel Stevens said they have a great reputation with local aged, disability, home and community care providers because they are skilling the Sunshine Coast workforce in a way that meets consumer and industry demands.
“We’re excited and honoured to be able to offer this new opportunity to 60 young people from the Sunshine Coast, our first intake starts soon with 20 places on offer to start late February,” Mr Stevens said.
“The positive contribution and energy young people can bring to the aged care industry is enormous, they also have the opportunity to get qualified and placed into a sector that is growing and offers sustainable career pathways.
“We’re not just in the business of getting our students to graduation, we’re in the business of getting our students jobs and that requires listening to the needs of our local employers and this program offers workplaces great financial incentives to hire our outstanding job ready candidates.”
Various support measures will be available for participants, including tailored and flexible training opportunities, industry-specific fully supported work placement, internships, mentoring and wrap around supports for participants and more.
The Pilot is offered at no cost to participants, giving them access to qualifications that meet the minimum entry-level requirements in the aged care & disability sectors.
It also supports businesses to trial young people in the workplace and offers a financial incentive when they hire.
Youth Jobs PaTH is an Australian Government employment service that helps young people gain the skills and work placement they need to get and keep a job.
Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said that the pilot, one of nine selected for funding around the country, would help local young people find work in the fastest-growing industries on the Sunshine Coast.
“STEPS are already national leaders in providing disability services, and in helping people to overcome some of the most serious barriers a person can face in getting into work,” he said.
For more information about the course, contact STEPS Education & Training at (07) 5458 3000 or email enquiries@stepsgroup.com.au
Funding has been provided by the Australian Government Department of Department of Education, Skills and Employment through the Youth Jobs PaTH Industry Pilot initiative.
