ParentsNext helps parents with children under six to plan and prepare for employment by the time their children go to school.

ParentsNext is delivered in two streams – the intensive stream and the targeted stream. CHESS delivers the intensive stream to participants.

There are basic guidelines for eligibility and most participants will be referred to the service by Centrelink.

CHESS Employment is a mid north coast agency rolling out the program, with ParentsNext team leader for Woolgoolga to Tuncurry, Kelly Cowell, excited to help parents reach their goals.

"We can already see the benefits of what this program offers," she said. 

"It's all about getting parents doing something. It's pre-employment. We aren't asking the parents to go back to work; we are assisting them in their journey whether that is up-skilling or finding a new career path. 

"Some have never been in the work place so it's helping them find skills, connect with the community and step out into the workforce once their youngest has gone to school."

Ms Cowell said some great success stories have already come out of the Hastings. 

"One local grandmother came to us, and ended up going to TAFE and enrolling into a design and technology course. At 53 she never thought she'd be studying again," she said.

"It's all directed by the client and have a certain amount of money we can spend to assist the client.

"We want to start our own programs and run groups that will happen once a week in Port Macquarie and surrounds where the focus points are on health, education, lifestyle ... and not only will they benefit parents but in some instances the children as well."

She said the response has been "fairly good" from those participating int he program

"Exploring with each individual what it is that they want to achieve is our first step," she said. 

"Sometimes they might have no idea so it's ensuring they can build soft skills and friendships within their community."