The Budget continues funding for Ballarat’s Local Employment Coordinator a program that has been important in connecting many locals to jobs.
Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King, said the Gillard Government is investing $15.7 million to continue two successful programs – the Local Employment Coordinators and the Jobs and Skills Expos.
“The Budget ensures the great work of 20 Local Employment Coordinators based in Priority Employment Areas across Australia continues, including that of Andrew Gibbs in the Ballarat-Bendigo area,” Ms King said.
“The Local Employment Co-ordinator is able to develop a thorough understanding of the region’s labour market needs and accesses a small pool of flexible funding that can be allocated to local employment initiatives .
“Strong relationships are able to be built with key stakeholders, particularly with major employers, local government, community organisations, Job Services Australia and Disability Employment Services providers, Registered Training Organisations and Centrelink.
“The co-ordinator helps cultivate partnerships with service providers and training organisations to ensure local people are equipped to take advantage of employment and training opportunities available in the area.
“A great example of this is the Young Adult Empowerment Program, which has helped disadvantaged job seekers aged between 17 and 22 in the Ballarat region by providing pre-employment training and employment pathways.”
Ms King said the funding in the Budget will also ensure another 10 Jobs and Skills Expos will be held across the country in the next financial year.
“The Government’s Jobs and Skills Expos, including those held in this region, have been highly effective, with more than 26,800 people connected with employment and training opportunities nationally in less than four years.
“These Expos gather job seekers and employers with vacancies at one venue to match people to suitable employment and training opportunities.”