The Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney, today announced a $330,200 program to place 70 disadvantaged jobseekers in the Barwon South west region into sustainable employment.
“Congratulations to Superior Staff for winning the opportunity to place 70 young retrenched and mature aged workers and neighbourhood renewal jobseekers into jobs in the dairy processing and food manufacturing industries.
“This is a win for people with barriers to employment, a win for the industries in the region which have skills shortages which will now be addressed and a win for the community which will benefit from the productivity of these young people.
“Funding has been approved for the project as part of a $6.3 million allocation for 37 metropolitan and regional employment programs under the banner of Victoriaworks for jobseekers with employment challenges.
“The jobs program is part of the Victorian Government’s $10.2 million 2009-2010 Budget allocation for people with significant barriers to employment which is designed to place up to 1150 people in sustainable employment over two years.
“The latest overall allocation will enable 878 young unemployed people, those affected by the recent global economic crisis, migrants, refugees, ex-offenders, homeless women, young indigenous, sole parents and public housing tenants to find sustainable employment in areas where there are skills shortages.
“Of the 37 projects 16 are located in Regional Victoria and 20 in the metropolitan area. One project overlaps both sectors.
“A key feature of the Victoriaworks program is the partnership between funded organisations, which will identify and prepare jobseekers, and local businesses, which will provide job opportunities.
“By linking areas of skills shortage with appropriate training we will increase the employability of those that need it most – but we will do it by generating skills demanded by industry rather than job specific skills.
“This will ensure that industry meets its labour needs and the community benefits by increasing the sustainable employment of people with significant barriers to employment.
“Victoria has an ageing demographic profile and a shortage of skills in particular industries. Promoting skills and workforce participation programs across the community will provide opportunity and productivity for all,” Ms Tierney said