Local Taskforces to Aid Jobs Recovery

Over 900,000 job seekers will benefit from local knowledge and expertise through the new $62.8 million Local Jobs Program announced by the Australian Government this month. 25 locally based Employment Facilitators, including Bronwyn Pearson for the Northern Inland region, will be engaged to help connect job seekers with training, job opportunities and other support.

They will also chair Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces across Australia that 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.”

“The recovery is also likely to look different across sectors and communities which is why it is critical to provide tailored support to help Australians find work in their local regions. Local knowledge and collaboration will be vital to achieving this.”

Using information provided by the National Skills Commission, each ‘Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce’ will develop a local jobs plan, identifying the region’s priorities, opportunities and skills gaps.

The program will run until 30 June 2022, and further information is available on the Local Jobs Program page of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.