Member for Hume Angus Taylor has called on not-for-profit community organisations to put forward proposals that will help young people move into the workforce and reduce welfare dependency.

“This initiative will ensure young job seekers are provided with the opportunity to develop their work-life skills with the help of community based organisations,” he said.

“The government is looking to fund initiatives that will help young people to find and keep a job, and to provide them with the skills needed to contribute to the future workforce

“The best way to do this is to engage job seekers with potential employers.”

Round Two will target particular initiatives that focus on young indigenous people, young people in regions of high unemployment and that support the required participant numbers.

The eligibility status has been expanded to include all not-for-profit and non-government service providers.

The Department of Employment will partner with successful organisations to help develop, support and evaluate their projects, and successful applicants will be announced in February 2017.

Applicants can apply for grant funding of up to $5 million.

For more information, visit http://www.employment.gov.au/employment-services-procurement-information.