Jobs Drive launched at Umina
A month-long Jobs Drive aiming to boost job opportunities for Central Coast locals began at the Umina Surf Lifesaving Club on Monday, April 29.
Member for Robertson Ms Deborah O'Neill and Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations Senator Jacinta Collins launched the initiative.
Senator Collins said the Jobs Drive would be held during May and aimed to raise employer awareness of the benefits of utilising employment service providers to meet their recruitment needs.
"The initiative is a great example of how a community can work together to help local businesses and job seekers," Senator Collins said.
"It also highlights the programs and assistance available to job seekers from the Australian and state governments.
"I'm proud that the Australian Government is continuing to support job seekers in areas like the Central Coast," she said.
Ms O'Neill said when it came to jobs, the Central Coast faced challenges that the Jobs Drive would help overcome.
"Nothing works quite like face-to-face contact when it comes to matching job seekers with employers who are looking for staff," Ms O'Neill said.
"Local employment coordinator Jack Ritchie has been working hard with stakeholders throughout the region to develop and tailor the initiative for local job seekers.
"It's also supported by employment service providers on the Central Coast who have extensive experience in assisting job seekers," said Ms O'Neill.
The Jobs Drive is funded through the Australian Government's Flexible Funding Pool, a $20 million initiative announced in the 2011-12 Budget to support the work of the Local Employment Coordinators in the 20 Priority Employment Areas across Australia.
The Flexible Funding Pool is part of the $45.2 million Priority Employment Area initiative that will deliver targeted employment programs for disadvantaged job seekers and employers in regions with challenging labour market conditions.
Media Release, 29 Apr 2013
Richard Mehrtens, Office of Deborah O'Neill MP