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Media ReleaseGOVERNMENT TIGHTENS LITERACY REQUIREMENT FOR UNEMPLOYED K0501 28 January 1999 "Changes to the mutual obligation policies announced today will mean a greater number of unemployed people will have access to literacy and numeracy training," said the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, Dr David Kemp. Extension of the eligibility criteria plus a requirement that young people on unemployment benefits and lacking in basic literacy and numeracy skills must undertake training to help them in their search for employment are the main changes to the mutual obligation commitment. "Extensive research has proved that more than half of unemployed people have poor literacy and numeracy skills. Reading and writing is a fundamental pre-requisite for employment," said Dr Kemp. "Previously, young people on the dole were able to satisfy their obligation by taking up one of a number of options even if they had serious literacy and numeracy problems. Many find it difficult to admit that they have a literacy and numeracy problem that prevents them from obtaining permanent employment. We need to ensure that these people take advantage of the opportunities available to overcome these difficulties," said Dr Kemp. "Unemployed young people who do not have basic literacy and numeracy skills will be required to undertake testing and appropriate training to remedy their skill deficiencies. This will be a condition of these young people continuing to receive their full unemployment benefits." Access to Literacy and Numeracy assessment and training is to be extended to all unemployed people who have poor literacy and numeracy skills, who are on Youth Allowance or Newstart Allowance, and to sole parents participating in the Jobs, Education and Training (JET) Strategy. Under the current arrangements, eligibility for these programmes is only available to 18 – 24 year olds who have been unemployed for six months. Under mutual obligation, the Government contracted 69 education and community organisations across Australia for three years to provide basic literacy and numeracy training with eligible job seekers to receive up to 400 hours of training over a period of up to 40 weeks. Access to the Career Counselling programme is also to be extended to all job seekers on Youth Allowance and Newstart Allowance and to all young people aged 15 – 20 years who are referred by Centrelink. The Minister also announced a further measure opening up an additional 2,200 places under the Job Placement, Employment and Training (JPET) Programme. These places were previously reserved for clients aged 18-21 years on income support but are now available to all JPET eligible clients. Media contact: Samantha Herron 02 6277 7460 or 0412 639 754
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