The Tasmanian Government has a Plan to rebuild a stronger Tasmania with a focus on bolstering confidence and creating jobs.
Our 2020-21 State Budget includes support for a range of Strategic Growth initiatives which invest in local communities to support resilience and economic and employment growth, as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
This includes $470,000 over two years to continue to support Hamlet Inc to continue its employability program and $420,000 over two years to Workskills Troublesmiths program.
The additional funding to Hamlet will help it grow its catering arm with the long term aim of supporting sustainable business operations.
Strong and sustainable social enterprises help create jobs, drive productivity and workforce participation, and in doing so, help build a more cohesive society.
I am advised that Hamlet has delivered more than 22,000 hours of work experience with 262 participants over the past four years and that 72 per cent of Hamlet’s participants secure paid employment or continue to further training.
Through a partnership with the Hobart City Mission, Hamlet has also delivered 400 meals per week for people seeking food relief since the start of the pandemic, allowing it to keep staff employed in meaningful paid work.
The Workskills Troublesmiths program is a youth based social enterprise providing participants with work experience producing hand made products which are sold through a dedicated retail shop and on-line. From July 2017 to June 2019, 146 participants commenced the Troublesmiths initiative.
These are fantastic local initiatives that I am proud to support and I thank the many hard working people who have made them a success.