Funding for APACE Green Skills youth training program

17/4/97

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today presented a $19,662 grant to organisation APACE Green Skills for its youth training and employment program.

The Minister said the Lotteries Commission grant, approved by the Gordon Reid Foundation Committee for Youth, would be used by the organisation to fund an environmental/conservation mentor program.

"This grant brings together a potential solution to two major issues facing Western Australia - youth unemployment and land degradation," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Both are major priorities for the State Government and we have set in place major initiatives to deal with them, such as the State Salinity Action Plan.

"The plan provides for the rehabilitation of affected areas by reintroducing vegetation through activities such as tree planting.

"Many of these measures will demand trained and committed people to engage in numerous restoration tasks.

"This grant will assist in this by supporting training and skills programs for young Western Australians."

The Minister said it was encouraging to see organisations playing an active role in training young people and giving them the motivation and skills to participate in work that benefits all Western Australians.

Media contact: Mark Thompson 322 2311