Northam Jobs and Skills Centre to boost opportunities for regional jobseekers

  • Jobs and Skills Centre launched in Northam
  • Centre to address workforce needs throughout the Avon and Wheatbelt region
  • 13 Jobs and Skills Centres now open across regional and metropolitan Western Australia 
  • The Northam Jobs and Skills Centre was officially launched today by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery at Central Regional TAFE.

    A key McGowan Government election commitment as part of the Plan for Jobs, the Jobs and Skills Centres are one-stop shops for students, jobseekers and career changers looking to improve their skills and job prospects.

    Jobs and Skills Centre staff provide free professional and practical advice on employment opportunities, career advice and apprenticeship and training information.

    The Northam Jobs and Skills Centre will work to address the Avon and Wheatbelt region’s unique local needs and assist jobseekers of all ages, with a particular focus on helping school leavers develop skills needed to enter the workforce.

    Outreach services are also available in Moora and Merredin.

    Shannan Smith, a local Northam resident, sought help from the Northam Jobs and Skills Centre to develop her resumé for a role in the community services sector. Thanks to this support, Shannan has received an offer of employment.

    Zachary Antonio came to the Northam Jobs and Skills Centre seeking advice about possible careers and training pathways. He is now undertaking a Diploma in Enrolled Nursing at Central Regional TAFE in Northam.

    The new Northam Jobs and Skills Centre is supported by career services and Aboriginal services from Directions Workforce Solutions Inc.

    Aboriginal people are a priority client group and extensive local stakeholder consultation was undertaken to ensure Aboriginal people benefit from the new service delivery model.

    Jobs and Skills Centre services are complemented by a comprehensive website resource that includes a jobs notice board, qualification lists and a course search feature.

    The Jobs and Skills WA website is available at https://www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au

    As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

    “We are focused on extending the reach of training and upskilling opportunities in regional Western Australia.

    “The Northam Jobs and Skills Centre is about creating jobs for people from the Avon and Wheatbelt region by directly linking training with employment, based on the needs of local industry.

    “Centres like the Northam Jobs and Skills Centre are already proving their value, with clients like Shannan and Zachary achieving their employment and training goals.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.