Opposition spokesman for higher education, skills and apprenticeships Steve Herbert visited Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre recently with Labor candidate for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas.

Both said funding cuts would do nothing to help the unemployed in the area. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics stated youth unemployment in the Ballarat region in May was recorded at 17.4 per cent.

Ms Thomas said the adult learning environment at DNC provided much needed job-ready training for people who  were disengaged from education, training and employment,

 “These centres provide training to some of the most needy people in this community, she said.”

With the latest changes not only is there a funding squeeze, but an administration squeeze as well, Ms Thomas said.

As a training centre, the DNC pays the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority $14,000 to be accredited. “Government cuts will also result in 37 per cent of DNC funds cut from next year’s funding.”

Mr Herbert said this has had a major impact on smaller community groups which provide a service and are hit with subsidy rate cuts, higher fees and paper work that take up half the staff.

Mr Herbert said the government hadn’t taken into account the needs of people in smaller communities, and the changes being made are set on a Melbourne funding rate.

 “Jobs training needs are  different in regional areas,” he said.