16 January 2014

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor has announced funding for two Trade Training Centres in Young – at Young High School and Hennessy Catholic College.

Mr Taylor announced the funding, totalling almost two and a half million dollars for the two projects, under Round Five (Phase One) of the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program. Hennessy Catholic College will receive $1,433,897 and Young High School will receive $975,000.

“This is fantastic news for students and teachers in Young who are receiving a share in $209 million, across 220 schools, to establish trade training centres. The aim is to help students with the knowledge and skills they need to go on to further education, training and employment. It will also help address a skills shortage,” Mr Taylor said.

“Funding agreements for the Young Hospitality Trade Training Centre and the Hennessy Trade Training Centre will give students the opportunity to qualify in a Certificate II in Hospitality (Kitchen Operations), as well as a Certificate II in Horticulture within the Hennessy Trade Training Centre project.

“The Australian Government’s Department of Education will start negotiating funding agreements for the successful projects shortly. There will be slight changes to the funding agreements to strengthen governance and the links between schools, business and industry.

“The big picture issue of youth unemployment is concerning to me and the Coalition government has a commitment to improve job opportunities for our young people. A key feature of our policies in this regard will be the Job Commitment Bonus payment of up to $6,500 to encourage long-term unemployed young Australians to find a job and remain off welfare,” Mr Taylor said.

“This incentive, combined with opportunities provided through the trade training centres, will play a significant part in reducing youth unemployment, particularly in regional communities like Young.”