Designed to keep young people connected, in work and away from crime, the Youth Engagement Activator program has operated from Manor Lakes Community Centre, but will lose funding after 30 June.
The program recently received a WorkSafe award for Excellence in Preventing and Managing Psychosocial Risk, adding to concerns over the council’s decision not to continue it.
ASU spokesperson Michael Chaitow says the initiative was delivering results and warned the union was prepared to fight for its return if Wyndham proceeds with the cut.
“For many young residents, the cost of joining a sports club or the confusion of navigating career training is a total barrier,”
“These activators identify exactly what a young person is struggling to access and then facilitate that entry.
“Whether it’s a subsidy for a local footy club or getting them into a white-card course so they can start work on a site the following week.” he said.
Mr Chaitow says ending the program would strip a fast-growing community of a valuable support service while also wiping out existing jobs.
“In just one year, this team referred nearly 40 young people to local sporting groups and secured the subsidies they needed to actually play,”
“In September last year, they organised a youth career expo that saw more than 90 attendees, with 15 young locals gaining direct employment as a result. We will not be going anywhere.” says Chaitow
He said the council was relying on its “back to black” fiscal strategy to justify the move, while spending on ventures such as the Truganina private security trial was “embarrassing.”
“It’s a classic case of cutting for a short-term fix, that ends up causing more harm in the long-term,” he said.
A Wyndham City spokesperson said the council regarded the program as successful, but maintained it had always been introduced as a short-term trial and would not be extended.
“After the trial is completed in June of this year, the Manor Lakes Community Learning Centre team will be supported by casual youth workers,”
“The youth workers will be engaged in times of need to strengthen proactive engagement with young people and to continue building staff skills and confidence.” the spokesperson said.
