WESTERN suburbs employers need to come to the table to give young people who are keen to work a fighting chance, a national training organisation has said.
Fred Madden, Chairman of the WPC Group, a not-for-profit training organisation specialising in the employment and training of apprentices and trainees, said many employers were failing to help young people enter the workforce.
It comes after Star revealed an exclusive draft of the Western Agenda document created by advocacy group LeadWest last month, which claimed that jobs were the key to the West moving forward.
“As Chairman of the WPC Group, I am disappointed at a lack of interest by many in the region in taking on entry level workers,” Mr Madden said.
“Each December, thousands of young people leave our schools looking for an opportunity.
“Sadly this last three months has seen a dramatic decrease in employers taking on young people from the activity levels we have witnessed over the past decade.”
Mr Madden said WPC Group had a book full of qualified and eager young people who were waiting to be given a chance.
Josh from Hoppers Crossing is one of those young people.
The 18-year-old is approaching the completion of a pre-apprenticeship in plumbing and is keen to start a full-time apprenticeship as soon as possible.
“I’m trying to find an apprenticeship and I’ve spoken to a few different businesses but some of them are saying that they are a bit quiet,” Josh said.
Mr Madden said it was now time for employers to help people get as good start in life.
“We acknowledge that the transition from school to work has its challenges however we would point out to employers; a long term investment in skills is a good investment,” he said.
