Improving opportunity...
Between October 2009 and December 2010, 40 Keep Australia Working Jobs and Skills Expos were held attracting over 154,000 attendees, 3,000 exhibitors and connecting over 15,500 job seekers with job opportunities.
As part of the extension of Priority Employment Areas, Local Employment Coordinators will be given extra support through a $20 million flexible funding pool to help the coordinators undertake activities such as creating linkages between government services or provide training to help improve labour market outcomes in their area.
Our economy is strong but the diverse patchwork economy presents challenges. The Government is working with regional communities to develop local solutions to their labour market needs.
Supporting education and employment in regional Australia
The Government is investing $19.1 million over three years to develop a more strategic approach to combating high unemployment in regions. The funding will be used to develop 34 Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plans. This will help identify the needs of each region and will improve coordination of local employment initiatives.
Funding of $45.2 million will be provided to extend the Priority Employment Areas initiative, including Local Employment Coordinators and Jobs and Skills Expos until 30 June 2013.
Each area is the focus of a range of Government activities designed to ensure maximum effectiveness of government, community and business efforts to stimulate the local economy and generate new jobs.
The Government is also providing $7.1 million to continue the highly successful Small Business Support Line which provides an important service for small businesses in regional areas, allowing them to access vital information wherever they are located.
Unemployment rates ‑ highest and lowest unemployment regions (February 2011)
(a) excludes the Northern Territory