Maria Vamvakinou MP

Eleven local community groups are set to receive more than $730,000 from the Australian Government to improve education, training and employment opportunities for people in Hume.Federal Member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou  welcomed  the  second round of funding allocated under  the Local Solutions Program. The program is part of the  Government’s Better Futures, Local Solutions initiative, which identified 10 regions around Australia ( including Hume) in  need of improving employment, education and social participation.
“We’ve already seen great results from the program, with the Future Pathways project helping people from diverse cultural backgrounds return to work. Funding for the projects was recommended by the Hume Local Advisory Group, a group of local volunteers brought together for their knowledge of the region and their strong desire to drive change, ” Ms Vamvakinou said.
Hume Community Groups that will benefit are:  Brite Services; Banksia Gardens Association, Hume Whittlesea Local Learning and Employment Network; Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre Inc; Victorian Arabic Social Services; A Gesture; Hanover Welfare Services; Holy Child Primary School; The Salvation Army, (Victoria) Property Trust; Bridging Worx Inc  and  Dallas Neighbourhood House.
Rob Hudson, Chair of the Hume Local Advisory Group, said the projects all have enormous potential to provide new pathways for people who find it difficult to enter the workforce. “Our main focus is to increase people’s employability and access to work experience, and these projects do exactly that,” Mr Hudson said. For the full list of the funded projects and more information on the Local Solutions Fund visit humanservices.gov.au/bfls