UnitingCare Australia will partner with the Federal Government in a pilot jobs program enabling mothers with young children to access employment opportunities in the community and aged care sectors.
Participants will be provided with training and paid positions within the UnitingCare Australia network.
The program will be funded through the Federal Government’s jobactive program which will invest $5 billion over three years into a range employment services.
The initiative has attracted some criticism over the possibility the program may reinforce gender-specific roles within the Australian workforce.
Speaking with News Corp Australia, UnitingCare Australia National Director Lin Hatfield Dodds (pictured) said the program would ensure real employment opportunities for many women struggling to re-enter the workforce.
“I’m really excited about this program because it will give women looking for work real jobs, not just training and a fake job at the end of it but real jobs that could lead to rewarding careers,” Ms Hatfield Dodds said.
“Women who have spent most of their time caring for their kids will be able to use those caring skills in paid work. Caring roles aren’t for everyone but this will provide some options to women who feel they have no skills.
“The kinds of positions available will vary, but could include positions in aged and palliative care, disability and homelessness support work, early-years care, transport, or administration roles.
“Our goal is to offer entry level jobs that have long-term prospects for career growth.”
The pilot program will be trialed in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide from July this year and could be available nationally sometime in 2016.
Comments are closed.