Society

Australian governments failing unemployed youth

Governments are failing the estimated 50% of early school leavers who can’t find a job, and forcing charities to pick up the slack according to Rev. Bill Crews, Executive Chairman of The Exodus Foundation.

The Exodus Foundation runs a specialist programme for unemployed early school leavers in Ashfield and Redfern. The programme, known as Exodus Youth, fills the educational void and gives young people the skills they need to obtain meaningful employment.

"ABS statistics tell us that young people have not come through the global economic crisis unscathed. 50% of young people who leave school before matriculation can’t get work, and the government is not addressing their real needs", said Rev. Crews.

The provision of additional TAFE places for young people is not the answer, according the Rev. Crews. "These young people need specialist programmes designed to help them into employment - the TAFE system does not provide this."

Despite the success of The Exodus Foundation’s youth programme it does not receive any government funding. "We’re helping to reduce youth unemployment, but get no help from state or federal government to do so", said Rev. Crews. "Politicians need to recognise that charities are often best placed to deal with youth unemployment and they should be funded accordingly."

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