WORK for the dole free days are numbered for those unemployed and under 30 living in Port Macquarie.
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As of July 1, the Hastings becomes one of 18 regions chosen to spearhead the Federal Government’s changes to benefit conditions in Australia.
It means job seekers between 18 and 30 years old, who have been receiving Youth Allowance or Newstart for 12 months or more will have to work 15 hours a week for six months.
And, if you don’t do the work, you simply don’t get the dollars.
While community stakeholders have welcomed the announcement, critics have slammed the Howard-era program’s revival, claiming it won’t lead to significant gains in participant social skills or employability.
The Australian Service Union has gone as far to say the scheme would be forcing people into a program “proven not to work” and displace paid labour.
But in the view of Wesley Mission work for the dole may provide just the opportunity local young people need.
Port Macquarie-based executive manager of employment services Damon Munt has praised the far-reaching benefits of the program.
For more than a decade, Mr Munt said Wesley Mission had been involved with Work for the Dole (WFD) projects across the Hastings.
"In addition to the "hard skills" learnt in a WFD environment, participants also gain valuable skills such as team work, reliability, motivation, maintaining routines and also the personal satisfaction of giving back to the community rather than being snared in the trap of potential long term unemployment," Mr Munt said.
"Without work - whether paid or unpaid - a person's self-worth declines and negates any vision of a life with work."
Back in 2004, a Melbourne University study found WFD participants were less-likely to exit the welfare system.
The study blamed a 'lock-in' effect, where job search activity was reduced.
But Mr Munt said in his experience, the program had no impact on the time people spent searching for work.
"Through active participation in meaningful work, people keep active and have a stronger sense of achievement," he said. "By not engaging, self-worth and optimism are eroded."
Those views were also echoed by Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce president Hadyn Oriti.
He said in the past, the former WFD scheme had breathed-life to projects like the Rotary Country Hall and Bayne Park.
"Essentially, it was a great set-up for Port Macquarie because it saw the completion of community projects which couldn't otherwise get off the ground," Mr Oriti said.
The Port News understands the jobless will potentially assist community organisations and local government with tasks like rubbish collection and park maintenance.
"The benefits of WFD are many," Mr Munt said. "Job seekers gain skills and work experience while the community benefits from teams of people who help support community organisations and benefit the public good."
The program hits most of the Mid North Coast from July 1 and one year earlier than for the rest of the country.
Chief executive officer of Regional Development Australia Peter Besseling said at this stage, much of the details surrounding the scheme remain unknown.
"It remains to be seen what the impact of this program may be on those areas in the region that are, and are not, included and how it may affect youth retention and employment," Mr Besseling said.
The Hastings is one of 18 youth unemployment hot spots targeted for implementation in just a few weeks.
But even Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, an organisation typical of the program's target market is unsure of exactly how it is going to work.
Council's director community and organisational development Lesley Atkinson would consider participating with the program once more became clear.
"It's really a waiting game to see how the Federal Government sets up this program," Ms Atkinson said.
She denied the scheme would be seen as "free labour" or conducive to labour job cuts.
"Rather it can be seen as an opportunity to enhance the works we do around the LGA," she said.
From 1 July 2015, all job seekers aged 18-30 and in receipt of Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance will be forced to undertake work for the dole for 25 hours per week.
For more information visit www.employment.gov.au