People receiving parenting payments will be given one-on-one training, parenting courses, education advice and training to improve literacy and numeracy.

Dubbo is one of only six places in NSW to receive the expanded ParentsNext scheme from July 2018.

The $263 million scheme was unveiled by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

“The best form of welfare is a job,” he said.

“It’s good for them, it’s good for their future and its good for their kids because they can see mum and dad are engaged in the workforce.”

The expansion will see 68,000 parents each year receive the training at 30 sites around Australia.

Mr Turnbull said 96 per cent of the ParentsNext participants were expected to be women.

Employment Minister Senator Michaelia Cash said 12,700 people had already undertaken the program.

“The ParentsNext program is going to empower more women to get the skills they need to get into employment,” she said.

She said it meant they would be ready for work when their children reached school age.

 The training programs in the current scheme are provided by welfare and private training organisations.

That is expected to continue with the expanded scheme.

It is likely the organisations will have to tender for the work and government funding for staff and resources.

Apart from Dubbo the scheme will also be rolled out in Orange, Tamworth, the Mid Coast, the North Coast and Inner Sydney areas.

The expansion was announced in Rockhampton, one of the 10 existing ParentsNext sites.

The local member, Michelle Landry, said it had been successful.

“More than 800 parents in Rockhampton have already benefited from ParentsNext.

“They are now far better equipped to realise their potential by making valuable contributions to the local workforce,” she said.

“I’m pleased that parents in other regions will be able to reap the benefits.”