The Gold Coast will benefit from a Morrison Government initiative to support the recovery of regions hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognising the importance of local knowledge, the Government is investing $62.8 million in a Local Jobs Program to help Australians get back into work.
Member for McPherson Karen Andrews MP said 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.
“The Gold Coast – and its key industries of tourism and hospitality – is suffering as a result of the pandemic and subsequent restrictions,” Mrs Andrews said.
“The Coalition has recognised cities like ours need on-the-ground support to help lead our recovery and I’m thrilled to hear an Employment Facilitator will be allocated to the Gold Coast to assist local job seekers to connect with training, job opportunities or other support,” she explained.
“The Employment Facilitators will chair Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces across Australia, including on the Gold Coast.”
Member for Fadden Stuart Robert MP said it’s important the recovery is locally led to provide tailored support to help Gold Coast residents find work locally.
“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 taskforces will bring together local employers, employment and training providers and other local stakeholders, to develop projects to get job seekers back into work,” he added.
“Local knowledge and collaboration on the Gold Coast will be vital to achieving this.”
Member for Moncrieff Angie Bell MP said Local Recovery Funds will also be available to support this approach
“Tailoring solutions specific to each local area is vital to helping regions like ours recover,” Ms Bell said.
“As the Gold Coast economy recovers from COVID-19, the jobs that are created may look different to those that existed before,” she added.
“Small and family businesses rely on their local communities and we want to tap into their expertise and connections to get people working again.”
The Employment Facilitator for the Gold Coast will 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 the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.
