FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said businesses and community organisations in the New England Electorate can now apply for support to boost the skills of youth under youth stream pilot programmes through the Industry Skills Fund.

Mr Joyce said the Training for Employment Scholarships and Youth Employment Pathways are new ways of delivering skilled young employees to businesses in the New England Electorate.

“Our Government is pursuing innovative ways to address youth unemployment by undertaking two youth pilot programmes that will meet the needs of business while also assisting young people to get back into school, start vocational education and training (VET) or move into the workforce,” Mr Joyce said.

“These initiatives will help not only New England Electorate businesses and young people, but also the community as a whole, particularly at this time of high youth unemployment.

“Under the Training for Employment Scholarships, up to 7,500 scholarships of up to $7,500 for youths aged 18 to 24 are available to micro, small and medium businesses who hire an unemployed person for 12 months to support the costs of training that makes them work ready.

“The Youth Employment Pathways programme will provide assistance to 3,000 youth who are not in work, training or school. Eligible community service organisations can receive funding of up to $2,000 to support 15 to 18 year olds, to get back into school, start VET or move into the workforce.

“Trialling the pilot programmes in selected regions ensures future youth programmes are effective and are linked to outcomes. Unlike Labor we are not training for training’s sake but investigating the optimal ways to get young unemployed Australians into work,” Mr Joyce said.

New England Electorate businesses and community service organisations have until 29 February 2016 to apply through the online application form.

For more information, or to apply, visit www.business.gov.au/youthstream or call 13 28 46.