Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls today visited the Collie PCYC Auto Workshop to see first-hand the benefits of the program, which received $47,085 through the first round of the South West Regional Grants Scheme.
“I am pleased to see how Royalties for Regions funding is helping young people who have not been attending school or have been identified as ‘at risk’ adopt positive pathways,” he said.
“The auto workshop program gives participants the opportunity to catch up on their school work and learn new skills to assist them in obtaining employment.
“Students rebuild vehicles and are taught spray painting, panel beating and welding.
“The program has proven an incentive for participants to stay in school, while also curbing anti-social behaviour and providing skills geared towards improving the employment prospects of young people.”
The Minister said the Collie PCYC Auto Workshop was among a number of Collie projects to receive funding through the first round of the South West Regional Grants Scheme component of the Liberal-National Government’s Royalties for Regions program.
Other local recipients of the SW scheme include the Ngalang Boodja Employment through Enterprise Project; Collie Senior Citizens and Meals on Wheels Association for new equipment; and the Collie branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association for fencing.
Mr Grylls thanked the South West Development Commission for the role it plays in delivering the scheme to groups in the region.
‘The South West Development Commission plays an important role in local decision making and the delivery of funds to recipients,” he said.
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