Last week Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that Orange was one of six NSW sites – and 20 across Australia – to be included in the ParentsNext program.

It will provide access to training for job skills, literacy and numeracy, parenting and financial management.

While 96 per cent of the participants will be women, with a priority on those under 22, the scheme will apply to all eligible parents on the Parenting Payment benefit.

A spokesperson for the Department of Employment said Orange was included in the scheme because it had a high number of Indigenous people receiving the Parenting Payment.

“Orange also has a higher proportion of the working-age population receiving income support,” she said.

“Some parents receiving Parenting Payment will be subject to compulsory participation.

“While teen parents are among those most in need of assistance, ParentsNext is available to eligible Parenting Payment recipients of any age.

“Priority groups include parents under the age of 22 years who do not have a year 12 or equivalent qualification, parents who are assessed as highly disadvantaged and parents whose youngest child is aged five years.”

She said the “more intensive stream” of the program will be rolled out in Orange.

This will include funding to assist parents with work-related expenses and wage subsidies of up to $10,000 for firms which employ Indigenous parents.

ParentsNext be run by employment and welfare groups which will receive funding for staff and resources.

Tenders will be out this year with those successful for Orange announced next year ahead of a start in July, 2018.

Mission Australia already runs the scheme in two NSW areas.

Area manager for western NSW Luke Butcher said it had not yet decided whether to tender for the work in Orange.

“At this stage we need to get more information about the size and scope of the project,” he said.

He said Orange employers, organisations and schools would be involved.

They would assist in areas including interview skills and childcare.