A WAGGA businessman’s plan to give one of the city’s troubled youth a new start through employment has been labelled a “sight for sore eyes” by youth advocates.
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Last Thursday, auto-electrician Kade Passlow posted a job advertisement on Facebook, offering a chance at employment and training for anyone despite their past.
Since posting, Mr Passlow’s job has been liked more than 600 times and he has received more than 50 applications.
On Tuesday, Mr Passlow said he had already interviewed nine applicants before making a final decision later this week.
“People are still ringing up, so I am trying to give everyone a fair chance,” he said.
But due to the overwhelming response, Mr Passlow said he was now considering starting a two week training program which would provide kids with experience and a reference for future employment.
Wagga employment specialist Compact is currently conducting a survey to see how businesses needs could be met by youth job seekers.
Its executive officer Megan Mulrooney said it was refreshing to see a small business offering a helping hand to Wagga teens.
“It was a sight for sore eyes seeing that story in the paper,” she said.
“There is a huge number of young people in our region right at our back door who are underemployed or make bad decisions or may not have seen anyone in their family work in their life.”
An employer providing steady work would often serve as a mentor, Ms Mulrooney said.
“Just giving them that helping hand and a bit of confidence for a start is an amazing gift,” she said.
Rural fencing contractor Brad Newman has been providing work placement experience for young people for the last two years, and recently hired one as a casual.
Mr Newman counts the young starter as a valuable employee, and encourages other businesses to provide more training opportunities for young people.
“He was the one who stuck out from the crowd during the work experience, and I thought he was a good kid,” Mr Newman said.