Funding can help create employment for up to 100 marginalised, disadvantaged women
The Western Australian Government has announced a $1.5-million investment to support women in the state in re-entering the workforce, particularly those facing financial vulnerability.
The funding will enhance The Big Issue's National Customer Support Centre and Women's Workforce programme to expand employment opportunities for women experiencing disadvantage.
"With the support of the Western Australian Government, The Big Issue can now create employment for up to 100 women experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage over the next five years, giving them the opportunity to change their lives," said The Big Issue CEO Steven Persson in a statement.
The funding will be committed to establish a National Customer Support Centre, which will offer additional skills training and job pathways for women and create up to 24,000 hours of employment over the next five years.
This initiative aims to empower women with the technical skills necessary for customer support services, boosting their confidence in technology and customer interaction.
"We are proud to be supporting this opportunity to help financially vulnerable women gain economic security," said Women's Interests Minister Sue Ellery in a statement. "Gaining employment is a crucial step for many women and families to get back on their own two feet and establish a meaningful career."
Meanwhile, the centre will be operated through The Big Issue's Women's Workforce programme, which has already provided employment to more than 200 women across four states.
Many of the women involved are victim-survivors of family and domestic violence or come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The programme has helped these women transition to other work or training opportunities, offering them a pathway to long-term financial independence, according to the WA government.
"Meeting the growing needs of women in Perth who are financially vulnerable and are seeking guaranteed income and pathways to other employment is vital, and this is just one way the WA Government can support these outcomes," said Stephen Dawson, Minister Assisting the State and Industry Development, in a statement.
