By ALESHA CAPONE
LEADWEST has launched a plan to improve the high level of youth unemployment and education retention rates in the West.
According to a new Brotherhood of St Laurence study, the North-West and West of Melbourne have the highest rates of unemployment among people aged 15 to 24 in the metropolitan area.
The rate of youth unemployment in the North-west is 14.8 per cent and 13.6 per cent in the West.
To help address the problem, LeadWest has announced plans to work with social researcher Dr Ruth Morton on a project which will investigate “youth engagement in and disengagement from education and training” in the West compared to the rest of Melbourne and Victoria.
LeadWest CEO Craig Rowley said research has identified the “paramount importance” of developing a strong skills base in the region, as outlined in the Western Agenda plan.
“One of the regional goals set out in the Western Agenda is to achieve higher school retention rates and also shift the achievement curve in Melbourne’s west,” Mr Rowley said.
“Dr Morton will also provide LeadWest with a review of existing research and evidence around youth engagement and transitions.
“This will clarify which policy developments are likely to have the most impact in improving youth engagement levels in Melbourne’s west.”
Figures from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations show the rate of full-time unemployment among teenagers looking for work in the West was 39 per cent in 2013.
This was higher than the national average of 25 per cent.
A report into a Brotherhood of St Laurence 2012 youth employment project, based in Caroline Springs, said the program attracted “a substantial number of 15 and 16-year-old disengaged learners”.
Western suburbs youth worker Les Twentyman said he has recently received several calls from parents concerned about their teenagers dealing or using methamphetamines after losing jobs.
“Now with all the job losses at Ford, Toyota and Qantas, lots of kids think even if I go to school, I’m never going to get a job,” he said.
