Opportunity available to join Mackay Local Jobs Taskforce

The Morrison Liberal National Government is calling for expressions of interest to join its Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce for the Mackay Employment Region.

It is one of 26 new Taskforces being established across the country as part of the Morrison Government’s $276 million Local Jobs Program.

The Mackay region taskforce, which extends north to Bowen, south to St Lawrence, and further west, will help develop a Local Jobs Plan to identify key employment and training priorities for the region and develop initiatives that address local labour market needs.

The Taskforce will also drive initiatives to reskill or upskill people in the region looking for work so that we can better meet the needs of local employers.

Getting a range of local voices together at the same table will play a critical role in better connecting job seekers and employers to jobs right here in Mackay, the Whitsundays, and in the Bowen Basin.

Expressions of interest are particularly sought from members of the community who have specialised expertise in assisting people to get into work, including experience in small business, a particular industry or sector, as well as knowledge of the local workforce challenges and opportunities.

Representation from key stakeholder groups including employers, the training sector, employment services providers, government and the community services sectors is welcomed.

Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, said the Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces, a part of the Local Jobs Program, is a key part of the Morrison Government’s Economic Plan. 

‘We know that local challenges need local solutions and this Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce will help drive new efforts that work, it’ll help get Canberra out of the equation and put locals in charge of connecting people with jobs in their community.

The Local Jobs Program supports tailored approaches to accelerate reskilling, upskilling and employment. In the 2021-22 Budget, the program was expanded from 25 Employment Regions to cover all 51 Employment Regions across Australia.

The program provides an Employment Facilitator, Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce and Local Jobs Plan in each region, and delivers projects funded through either the Local Recovery Fund or the new $50 million National Priority Fund.

Applications open tomorrow, Tuesday 20 July and close on Friday, 13 August 2021. For more information, including on how to apply, visit: www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program