Maribyrnong school leavers are at risk of slipping through the cracks unless the federal government commits to Youth Connections services, according to western suburbs MPs.
Opposition leader and Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten said a lack of funding for the program threatened Westgate Community Initiatives Group’s ability to help young people overcome barriers to education and employment.
“This is a holistic approach to helping young people in Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley who have left school or are at risk of leaving school to continue with their education and ultimately complete year 12,” he said.
Gellibrand MP Tim Watts said more than 80 per cent of those using the services were still in study or jobs two years later.
Recent Senate estimates committee hearings revealed the federal government is yet to allocate funding for the services beyond the end of this year.
