Joint Media Release: Liberal Nationals Government supporting Western Sydney youth to build a better future

The Liberal Nationals Government is investing $2.24 million in Western Sydney’s successful Productivity Bootcamp to help 430 disadvantaged youth gain construction skills and find a job.

Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Liberal Senator for Western Sydney and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Liberal Candidate for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh visited the Productivity Bootcamp’s Penrith site today to meet with participants and to celebrate their progress.

Through Build and Grow 430 young people from Western Sydney are gaining construction skills as part of an eight-week course aimed at tackling youth unemployment.

Youth aged between 15 and 25 are recruited over 27 months and are receiving hands-on training in construction work, along with tailored support from a youth worker to help ready them for work.

Minister Fletcher said that Build and Grow is progressing well and the young “Bootcampers”, as they are known, are reporting significant improvements to their sense of identity.

“So far, 94 Bootcampers have participated in the training and have reported improvements in their skills and their general wellbeing; 39 Bootcampers have gained employment and 23 have secured an apprenticeship.

“This trial involves a simulated construction site where Bootcampers learn the important elements of building work and also obtain qualifications, such as the White Card, which is required for work on construction sites.

“Youth workers are on hand to provide practical support, such as helping the Bootcampers arrange transport to and from the worksite, or with referrals to services like housing and mental health support if required,” Mr Fletcher said.

Senator Payne said that the Liberal Nationals Government was helping to equip young Australians with work-ready skills.

“Through Productivity Bootcamp, young people who have been struggling with educational, family and health problems have been able to rebound and get back on track, graduating with the skills and confidence required to reengage with school and work,” Senator Payne said.

“As the Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, I have loved the opportunity to be involved with Paul Breen and his wonderful team over a number a years.

“There is no doubt Productivity Bootcamp is a Western Sydney success story and the young people who graduate from Bootcamp can be justly proud of their efforts.

Liberal Candidate for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh said Build and Grow is an innovative project that uses hands-on, practical training delivered outdoors combined with unique strategies that can help change the way young people view work.

“Young people who complete the training are better placed to secure a job in the construction industry, or engage with work more broadly,” Ms McIntosh said.

The Build and Grow trial will be funded under the Liberal Nationals Government’s $96.1 million Try, Test and Learn Fund.

Young people interested in taking part in this trial should visit productivitybootcamp.com.au.