Retailers support young Australians into employment through Jobs PaTH

THE Australian Retailers Association (ARA) Executive Director Russell Zimmerman today joined Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to support young people entering the retail workforce with the assistance of the Government’s Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-Trial-Hire) program.

The ARA are committed to growing employment in the retail sector and have been working with the Federal Government to assist internships to young Australians looking to get into retail through the Youth Jobs PaTH program being run by Employment Minister Michaelia Cash.

Mr Zimmerman said retail is transforming from a stepping-stone industry into a long-term and professionally fulfilling career, with some of Australia’s most successful business people starting on the shop floor.

“We are very excited to be a part of the PaTH program. Our retailers are already major employers of young people and these PaTH internships will now provide another way that employers can give young people a fair go,” Mr Zimmerman said.

“With the diverse range of careers in the retail industry, we need our young staff to not only have basic vocational skills but also have a wide range of qualifications before they can start on the job.”

The ARA already support people entering the retail workforce through the Retail Institute’s Retail Ready Jobs Program and will now also be working with the Government’s PaTH program to place young people seeking work in the retail sector.

“It is great to see the Prime Minister today supporting young people looking for work in the retail sector as the industry can deliver a successful and diverse career,” Mr Zimmerman said.

Further information about Youth Jobs PaTH program, including internships, is available at jobactive.gov.au/path

About the Australian Retailers Association:

Founded in 1903, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the retail industry’s peak representative body representing Australia’s $310 billion sector, which employs more than 1.2 million people. The ARA works to ensure retail success by informing, protecting, advocating, educating and saving money for its 7,500 independent and national retail members throughout Australia. For more information, visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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