Media Releases

18 May 2011 - Local Solutions for Local Labour Challenges

THE HON KATE ELLIS MP

MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT PARTICIPATION AND CHILD CARE

MEDIA RELEASE
18 May 2011

Local solutions for local labour challenges

The Australian Government's 2011-12 Budget takes a targeted place-based approach to getting more Australians who are living in areas of high unemployment into work.
Speaking at the Local Employment Coordinators Conference in Canberra today, the Minister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis said she was determined that disadvantaged communities not miss out on the opportunities of Australia's strong economy.

Local Employment Coordinators currently work in 20 priority employment areas across Australia in consultation with employers, employment services and local communities, as well as all levels of government to help drive local solutions to local labour market problems.

As part of the 2011-12 Budget the Australian Government announced the extension of the Priority Employment Area initiative, including Local Employment Coordinators and Jobs and Skills Expos for a further two years.

Ms Ellis said that Local Employment Coordinators have excellent links in their regions and work at the grassroots level.

"Working closely with their communities, the Local Employment Coordinators actively encourage participation to benefit local communities and their economies," Ms Ellis said.

"The Priority Employment Area initiative has been very successful because of the great work of the Local Employment Coordinators and the success of the Jobs and Skills Expos that saw more than 15,500 job seekers connected with job opportunities," she said.
The extension of this initiative will see the allocation of an additional $45.2 million over two years to support new activities in the priority employment areas.

A minimum of 40 Jobs and Skills expos will also be delivered across Australia to help connect job seekers with employment and training opportunities.
Local Employment Coordinators will continue working with Keep Australia Working committees to harness local expertise and provide guidance to develop and implement Regional Employment Plans that set out the employment priorities for their regions.
Local Employment Coordinators provide important assistance to retrenched workers and develop and support local employment projects and industry events.

The Australian Government will also provide $4.7 million over three years to run pilot projects designed to improve employment services to job seekers with multiple disadvantages such as mental health issues, drug and alcohol dependency and homelessness.

Ms Ellis said that these pilot projects and delivered by high performing Job Services Australia providers and are expected to assist up to 5000 highly disadvantaged job seekers to find work.

"Targeting new initiatives in specific locations will concentrate our resources to find new local solutions."
"The Australian Government will always provide a safety net for those in need but we want all Australians to have the opportunity to share in our nation's prosperity," Ms Ellis said.

For more information on the Government's place-based employment initiatives visit: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/