Continued support for the Rockingham/Kwinana Youth Skills Training Scheme

9/7/97

Attorney General Peter Foss today announced continued support for the Rockingham/Kwinana Youth Skills Training Scheme.

Under the Justice Ministry's Juvenile Justice Community Funding Program, more than $1.7 million will be allocated to 26 non-Government organisations in the 1997-98 financial year.

Each of the groups provides services to young people who have offended or who are at risk of offending.

The training scheme will receive $90,000 to operate workshop-based skills development programs for youth across the Rockingham/Kwinana district.

The scheme strives to develop practical skills which youth can use in future employment and training, as well as focussing on personal development and confidence-building.

The Juvenile Justice Community Funding Program is a State-wide preventative initiative that aims to reduce the incidence of offending by young people and to help cut the rate of recidivism.

"Non-Government organisations work in partnership with the Ministry of Justice in providing locally based preventative services that address the factors that often lead to antisocial or criminal behaviour," Mr Foss said.

"They offer an important link with local communities, help divert potential offenders from the criminal justice system and encourage young people who have broken the law to face up to their problems and address their offending behaviour."

Media contact: Chris Morris 9321 2222