On l6 March G-Force Recruitment, along with its community partners, launched the Target 100 program in Corio, Geelong. Target 100 is an initiative sponsored by G-Force Recruitment and its community partners to help 100 people from Geelong’s northern suburbs to become new apprentices and trainees. Statistics show that the northern suburbs of Geelong, such as Corio and Norlane, are significantly disadvantaged. There is a higher rate of unemployment, a lower level of formal education and higher ratios of mental illness in both Corio and Norlane. It is often the case that unemployment becomes hereditary — for example, there may be three generations in one family all experiencing unemployment. This program is a positive, practical step towards breaking that cycle and reducing these dire statistics.
Target 100 aims to sign up 100 people to new apprenticeships or traineeships, place them with host employers, pay their trade school fees and provide support and coaching. At present 38 per cent of first-year apprentices quit before completing their first year. As part of the Target 100 program a $1000 scholarship will be provided at the successful completion of the first year to encourage apprentices to continue their training.
The health of a wider community can often be attributed to the success of its most disadvantaged. I would like to congratulate Sue De Gilio and the G-Force Recruitment team, as well as its community partners, for this practical grassroots initiative to help our disadvantaged communities.