By Parker McKenzie
With an eye to helping support young people and their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Victorian State Government has launched its first Youth Strategy.
The $600 million initiative was launched by Minister for Youth Ros Spence today, who said the government was proud to announce the strategy on International Youth Day.
“It is the framework that will shape a positive future for all Victorian young people,” she said.
“We’re ensuring young people are empowered to address the issues that affect them. The Youth Strategy ensures that young people’s voices are heard at every level of government.”
The state government said 74 initiatives will be delivered over the next five years after the strategy was developed in consultation with more than 2000 young Victorians.
Some of the initiatives include funding for employment pathways in creative, sports and recreation sectors, a $1 million investment in youth hubs in outer metropolitan areas to improve access to services, a $750,000 Life Skills Toolkit to provide guidance for young people as they transition into independent living, $847,000 for 30-day free public transport passes for students in crisis and the expansion of the head start apprenticeships and traineeship program to every government school in the state at a cost of $69.4 million.
The Head Start program allows secondary students to do paid on-the-job training leading to a qualification while completing their studies.
Vermont South local and Youth Congress member Nathaniel Diong said young Victorians are more resilient, innovative and driven than ever before to drive systematic change.
“We welcome this opportunity to give young people a say in their futures through the Victorian Youth Strategy,” he said.
An additional $5.3 million has been promised by the government to open doors for young Victorians to be involved in policy development, to access education, jobs and community opportunities and to support mental health and physical wellbeing.
An advisory group with equal membership of young people and government youth sector partners will be created to advise on and guide the implementation of the youth strategy. Feedback will also be gathered through surveys and consultation.
According to the Youth Strategy document, 12 per cent of Victorians aged between 18 and 24 identify as LGBTIQ+, there are 125,000 international students on student visas, 10 per cent of young Victorians live with a disability and 17,000 aboriginal young people live in the state.
The state government said community consultation found young Victorians want to see a greater focus on mental health and want financial stability among other concerns.
