A Federal Government program designed to widen the pool of skilled workers and help businesses meet labour shortages has already had success in Perth. Now the Government is encouraging companies to come up with creative ideas to help move people into employment, with $10,000-$200,000 funding grants up for grabs.
Recognising the impact COVID-19 has had on the tight labour market, the Workforce Australia Local Jobs program aims to accelerate reskilling, upskilling and employment pathways to help meet employer demand. It will run to 30 June 2025.
Of the 51 national employment regions, there are eight in Western Australia, each with its own taskforce.
Perth South Employment Facilitator Rosie Hegarty says the funding “acts like glue to activities and initiatives that are already being run”.
Taskforce members work together to develop solutions to move people into work or training by putting local employer needs at the centre of their actions and addressing the employment barriers of local individuals.
“A Local Recovery Fund activity links activities that are already funded, training that may already be funded and exploring what is missing for an employer to meet that gap. Our funding then pays for what is missing and how it can bring something together,” she says.
The Perth South employment region, which includes Fremantle, Mandurah and Boddington to the east, has skills shortages across healthcare, construction, education and training, mining, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, transport and logistics.
Hegarty said a recent six-week pre-employment program focused on participants entering disability and aged care employment. After successfully completing the program, eight participants found employment across a range of industries including personal care assistant, hospitality and cleaning roles, support care worker and administration.
An information and ideas-for-funding session will be held on 14 June, 1.30-3pm at Jobs and Skills Fremantle.
Taskforce members are encouraged to come up with ideas for creative activities, collaborate together and put in for funding application for activities that assist people into employment.
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