Women across the Central Coast who are looking to return to work are being urged to apply for grants of up to $5,000 from the NSW Government to fund goods, supports and resources to help them return to the workforce.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the Return-to-Work Pathways Program is for women who have been unemployed for one month or more and intend to enter or return to work within six months.
One-off grants of up to $5,000 can be accessed to fund return to work costs such as training, materials for courses, transportation, childcare and other work necessities such as IT equipment.
“If you are a woman who is looking to go back to work but there are financial costs to doing so, such as childcare, transport, clothing or a computer, the NSW Government will fund it up to $5,000,” Crouch said.
“Women across the Central Coast should feel confident that the Government has their back when it comes to removing some of the financial barriers that could delay or prevent them from returning to work.
“Feedback from women who have completed the program is simply amazing, with many telling us that it simply wouldn’t have been possible without it.
“It builds their confidence while supporting their financial independence,” Crouch said.
The Return-to-Work Pathways Program is part of the commitment made by the NSW Government in the 2022-23 Budget to invest $16.5B over 10 years to level the playing field for women.
It complements the Government’s long-term plan to help 95,000 women enter the workforce or take on more hours by making childcare more affordable and accessible.
The state’s unemployment rate is currently 3.1 percent which is the lowest in the country.
Over 3,700 women have taken up a Return-to-Work grant since the program launched, with an average payment of $4,500.
A survey of the women who took part in the last phase of the program revealed that 65 percent have secured employment; 73 percent have applied for and/or started education and training; 95 percent have made progress with their Return to Work Plan; 81 percent reported increased confidence regarding returning to work; and 98 percent found the Return to Work application process helpful.
Find out more online at: service.nsw.gov.au/services/business-industries-and-employment/get-notified-about-return-work-phase-3.
A Return to Work Toolkit is also available at nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/toolkits-and-resources/return-to-work-toolkit.
Source:
Media release, Mar 8
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch