Upskilling people looking for work and mentoring job seekers will be the focus of a new $1 million pilot program launched in the Shoalhaven on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Local Employment Initiative Fund will support Nowra employment projects in an effort to reduce the region’s unemployment rate. Employment Facilitators in Gilmore, together with Regional Development Australia (RDA) Far South Coast, will spearhead the program.
RDA Far South Coast Chief Executive Officer Fiona Hatcher welcomed the funding.
“I know the region as a whole will be appreciative for this new program and the significant investment made by the Australian Government. This builds upon the $20 million Regional Jobs Investment Program that was launched last year,” she said.
“The end game is to get people into work, gainfully employed. When we pull together as a community we achieve great results.”
Under the $18.4 million Regional Employment Trials Program, the new Employment Facilitator will be appointed through a competitive tender process, closing tomorrow, July 18, 2018.
The initative was “cautiously welcomed” by Greens MLC Justin Field, who lives in Milton. However, Mr Field said the pilot would restore the employment coordinator program “cut by the Abbott Government in 2014”.
“Unemployment across the Shoalhaven has been consistently high since the Abbott Government cut a similar long-term employment coordinator program in 2014,” he said.
“I welcome today’s announcement and it reflects much of the feedback that came out of the youth unemployment forum held in Nowra last year.
“The forum recognised the essential need for better coordination of employment services, mentoring support for young people and ensuring those looking for work had access to education, training and employment with better local transport.”
