Disadvantaged parents of young children will soon have access to the training and support they need to become work ready, thanks to the Turnbull Government’s decision to expand the successful ParentsNext program.

The Nationals Duty Senator for Richmond John Williams said the best form of welfare is a job and the government is focused on helping more parents of young children into work.

He said ParentsNext will connect North Coast parents of young children with personalised support to improve their work readiness by the time their children start school.

This includes advice on relevant education, qualifications, numeracy and literacy.

Senator Williams said the programme was launched in April last year and is now being rolled out to 20 new locations.

“On the North Coast there are many families receiving the Parenting Payment.

ParentsNext will be a real opportunity for many of these parents to get the assistance they need to get work ready”, Senator Williams said.

Further details of the programme are available at www.employment.gov.au/parents-next.