The Victorian government is helping at-risk young people get the skills they need to get a job. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, met with the Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network (CR LLEN) Annual General Meeting to discuss how Labor Government funding can best meet the needs of disengaged young people. Ms Symes said the recent Victorian Budget provided funding certainty to LLENs, allocating $32 million over four years to support LLENs to continue working with young people who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education and training, to help them get skills and get a job. The government will extensively consult with LLENs and other stakeholders such as schools, youth services, employers and local government, over the coming months, to ensure they can meet the pressing need to address youth unemployment and disengagement from education, training and employment. TAFE cuts hit regional Victoria the hardest, Ms Symes said. The current budget invests $300 million to complete the TAFE Rescue Fund, as well as an additional $50 million for the TAFE Back to Work Fund, both of which will help regional campuses find their feet, offer more courses and connect students with local businesses. Too many young people have packed up and left home in search of jobs. Thats why were investing in schools, skills and local industries, to get regional cities and towns back to work. Dedicated regional funds will create the jobs of the future, while the TAFE Rescue Fund will ensure our kids can get the training they need for the job they want. Every young person deserves the chance to reach their potential, and that is why the government is supporting Local Learning and Employment Networks to focus on programs that help at-risk youth to engage with education and employment. The $32 million in funding provided in the Budget will enable LLENs to help our most vulnerable youth to stay at school, participate in training or find work, and is essential to help restore opportunities to young people across our state.