The Morrison Government’s $62.8 million Local Jobs Program will help Wide Bay jobseekers gain skills and training to help them into work as part of Australia’s COVID-19 economic recovery efforts.

Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the Local Jobs Program includes a $780,000 Local Recovery Fund for the Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast Employment Region, funding projects valued between $10,000 and $200,000.

“Examples of projects to help people into work include training and re-skilling, tailored non-accredited training or professional development, job seeker mentoring, and employment pathway and internship programs,” Mr O’Brien said.

The Local Jobs Program will also extend the role of the Wide Bay Sunshine Coast Employment Facilitator and establish a Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce.

“Employment Facilitators work with local job seekers, connecting them with training, job opportunities or other support, and this boost to their resources will expand their role to chair a Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The taskforce will bring together local Wide Bay employers, employment and training providers and other local stakeholders, and use their valuable local knowledge to develop projects appropriate to the Wide Bay region that will help get job seekers back into work.”

Mr O’Brien said it was important that the jobs recovery is locally led to provide tailored support to help people in Wide Bay to find work within the region. 

“Local knowledge and collaboration in Wide Bay will be vital to achieving this so that people can access new opportunities locally,” Mr O’Brien said.

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

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 Employment Facilitator will continue to work with employers, employment services providers and training providers to match jobseekers in Wide Bay 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