21 Nov 2017 Whittlesea Review, Whittlesea (General News) UNEMPLOYED and early school leavers in Mitchell Shire will now have better access to the training and support that will help them to get a job. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, has announced Wangaratta-based Centre for Continuing Education will receive $455,280 to deliver the Skills First Reconnect Grants program. The Centre is the training provider at the Broadford Living and Learning Centre. The Centres Skills First Reconnect program will support early school leavers and those who are long-term unemployed. The program recognises that some participants may be facing challenges and barriers to training and employment such as alcohol, drug, domestic violence and mental health issues. Participants will receive one-on-one support through a dedicated and qualified case manager, as well as access to counselling services through partner organisations, interpersonal skills development, and training and work skills development programs. The program will help people build their confidence, work readiness, numeracy, literacy and digital literacy skills. Upon completion participants will be supported to undertake further education, work experience placements and employment opportunities. The program will help early school leavers and the long-term unemployed access the education and training they need to get a job, Ms Symes said. The Skills First Reconnect program is an extension to the Back to Work Reconnect grant program that was funded in 2016 and established in response to a decline in the number of young, early school leavers enrolling in vocational education and training. The Skills First Reconnect program will expand eligibility to support high need learners aged between 17- 64 years with low levels of prior educational attainment. Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.