Recognising the importance of local knowledge, the Australian Government is investing $62.8 million in a Local Jobs Program to support the recovery in the Ipswich region from COVID-19 to help Australians get back into work.
As part of the program, 14 Employment Facilitators, in addition to the existing 11 facilitators, will be engaged to help connect job seekers to local employment opportunities. Employment Facilitators are an on-the-ground presence that work with local job seekers in specific regions to connect them with training, job opportunities or other support.
These Employment Facilitators will chair Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces across Australia, including in the electorate of towns like Boonah, Esk, Lowood and major population centres like Ipswich, Oxley and Springfield. The taskforces will bring together local employers, employment and training providers and other local stakeholders, to develop projects to get job seekers back into work. Local Recovery Funds will be available in each selected region to support this approach.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said tailoring solutions specific to each local area was vital to helping regions recover.
“Small and family businesses rely on their local communities and we want to tap into their expertise and connections to get people working again” Minister Cash said.
“As the economy recovers from COVID-19, the jobs that are created may look different to those that existed before.
Senator Scarr said the recovery will be locally led to provide tailored support to help residents to find work in their local regions.
“Local knowledge and collaboration in our area will be vital to achieving this,” Senator Scarr said.
“Using information provided by the National Skills Commission, our ‘Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce’ will develop a local jobs plan, identifying the region’s priorities, opportunities and skills gaps.”
The Employment Facilitator for our region will then work with employers, employment services providers and training providers to match jobseekers with appropriate employment and training opportunities.
The Local Jobs Program will run until 30 June 2022.
For more details visit: www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program
MEDIA CONTACTS
Guy Creighton – Guy.Creighton@dese.gov.au – 0438 815 302
Media Contact – Matt McEachan – 3186 9350
