The Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast region will benefit from a $154,810 investment to help local women back into work, as part of the Australian Government’s Local Recovery Fund.
The Local Recovery Fund is an important part of the Local Jobs Program and the Australian Government’s Economic Recovery Plan. The first release of 15 local employment projects comprises an initial investment of more than $2 million.
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, said local knowledge and community links will continue to play a vital role in Australia’s recovery from COVID-19.
‘The Local Recovery Fund is supporting Australian communities by both helping people find work and meeting the needs of local employers,’ Minister Robert said.
‘These region-specific projects are the result of collaboration between Employment Facilitators, Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces, and the organisations.
‘This Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast project is one of the initial 15 funded across Australia, and this support will be invaluable for regions experiencing high unemployment as a result of the pandemic.’
The Local Recovery Fund supports regions by funding tailored projects to help align job seekers with employment opportunities in their community.
Skills Generation has set up a training and employment project for mature-aged female job seekers who have been displaced because of COVID-19 and the growth of contract employment in the region.
Andrew Wallace, Member for Fisher said this unique Skills Generation project will reskill and support women into the childcare sector on the Sunshine Coast.’
‘As we build our recovery from COVID-19 we are going to need to develop new skills in diverse sectors to help create the Sunshine Coast we want to see. Health and childcare are going to be a big part of that future here on the Coast.’ Mr Wallace said.
‘At the same time, we know that securing meaningful employment is one of the best ways of improving the lives of women across our region in every way, from enhancing mental health to supporting them in escaping family violence, so this project is going to be a big win-win for our community.’ He said.
Ted O’Brien MP, Federal Member for Fairfax said the road back from COVID-19 will have many twists and turns, but this program is an important step in helping women on the Sunshine Coast back into the workforce.
‘The Federal initiative, including mentoring, training, and re-skilling, goes to the very heart of the needs required to find employment in the local childcare sector.
More details about the Local Jobs Program can be found at www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program
