Thursday, 9 March 2023

Ministers statements: youth justice system

Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:08): I am pleased to update the house on the work we are doing in our youth justice system by giving young people the skills and training they need to transition into meaningful employment upon their release from custody. Our government’s priority is to keep Victorians safe and help young people turn their lives around. One of the best ways we can ensure their time in our care is productive is by training them with the skills and experience that will allow them to thrive in a professional work environment. Giving young people the training and confidence to secure and keep a job when they return to the community helps break the cycle of reoffending.

The John Holland graduate program is a great example of putting this into practice. The program is led by Parkville College in collaboration with youth justice and provides young people at Parkville with an opportunity to secure paid employment. The program offers formal, theory-based learning and development programs as well as practical on-the-job experience under the supervision of a senior staff member of the company. The program also offers an opportunity to network with senior leaders and the potential to secure ongoing employment with John Holland after the successful completion of the program. This is a great example of government and the private sector working together to create win-win outcomes, delivering not just a positive social impact but an economic return. This program has seen a number of young people come through it and transition from short-term probationary work into full-time paid employment. Some are now working on the state’s largest ever infrastructure projects as part of our Big Build, projects that are helping to create jobs not just for these young people but for everyone across our great state.