Media Releases

15 Mar 2012 - Hundreds of Jobs and Training Opportunities on Offer in Penrith

THE HON KATE ELLIS MP
Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care

SENATOR THE HON KIM CARR
Minister for Human Services

THE HON DAVID BRADBURY MP
Member for Lindsay

MEDIA RELEASE
15 March 2012

Hundreds of jobs and training opportunities on offer in Penrith

Federal Member for Lindsay, David Bradbury, has urged local residents of all ages to attend the Australian Government Jobs and Skills Expo in Penrith on Tuesday, 27 March 2012.

"The Jobs and Skills Expo is part of the Gillard Government's action plan to tackle unemployment and skills gaps in our region," Mr Bradbury said.

"It will present local job seekers and residents looking to undertake training with hundreds of job and skills training opportunities.

"The last Jobs and Skills Expo that was held in Penrith, in 2010, connected over 9000 local residents with employment and training opportunities.

"I encourage local residents who are on the hunt for a new job or those interested in up-skilling to take advantage of this excellent opportunity."

The expo in Penrith will have big jobs boards filled with jobs on offer for all ages and skills levels and a skills board where registered training organisations will promote courses available in the area.

The Penrith Jobs and Skills Expo will be held at the Panthers Exhibition Marquee from 10 am - 3 pm on Tuesday, 27 March.

Minister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis encouraged job seekers, employers and training and educational organisations in the region to get involved in the expo, which is part of the Government's 'Building Australia's Future Workforce' initiative.

"This is an excellent opportunity for local job seekers and people interested in undertaking further skills training to meet a range of employers and training providers in a single location," Ms Ellis said.

"The Government is supporting employers through programs and incentives to help find and train people with the skills they need, and the Jobs and Skills Expos provide a great opportunity to connect employers with potential employees.

"The expos are designed to create a jobs and skills marketplace, connecting job seekers with jobs and skills training opportunities. There will be employers, employment services providers and training providers together with other agencies, all under one roof, all on one day.

"It is never too late to up-skill, re-skill or engage in the workforce and these expos will help people in Penrith, the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury to take the first step.

"All Australians should have the opportunity to share in the nation's success, and the skills shortages affecting many industries means there's never been a better time to undertake some training to secure a job."

Senator Carr said the Penrth Jobs and Skills Expo is part of the Government's ongoing commitment to action at a local level.

The Minister urged local employers to get involved in the event and help get local people back to work.

"Exhibiting is free so I encourage local employers to get on board. Even if you can't be an exhibitor on the day, your job vacancy or skills training opportunity can be displayed at the expo on the day," Senator Carr said.

"Since October 2009, the 44 Jobs and Skills Expos held across Australia have connected more than 16,500 people with jobs and many thousands more to training opportunities."

Those interested in exhibiting at the Australian Government Jobs and Skills Expo in Penrith should call 13 1158 or visit the website at www.humanservices.gov.au/expos.

Employers can also contact their Local Employment Coordinator, Narelle Wheatland on 0413 054 718, at any time, should they wish to follow up on available assistance.