More work and more support for jobseekers in remote Western Australia

Thursday, 26 April 2012

“Significant reforms to remote employment and community development services will help more people in remote communities into jobs and contribute to their local community,” Louise Pratt, Senator for Western Australia said today.

Consultations held in remote communities across Australia last year found that current services are not delivering the long term results that are needed.  We have listened and are changing the system.

“Local people have said to me they want to work, but that they also need better support to get the skills and experience they need to get a job.  The current system has been too fragmented to properly support people.” Senator Pratt said.

The four main programs that currently deliver employment and community development services in remote areas - Job Services Australia, Disability Employment Services, Community Development Employment Projects and the Indigenous Employment Program – will be rolled into the new integrated service.

From July next year, the new $1.5 billion Remote Jobs and Communities program will see local jobseekers working with a single provider in the region to offer a more integrated and flexible approach to local employment and participation services.

This new program from the Gillard Government will mean local jobseekers getting better support from a single, local provider to help them get the skills they need to get a job and participating in activities that contribute to their community.

“I know that there are jobs in community and other services in remote communities that could be done by local people if they had the training and support to do these jobs,” Senator Pratt said.

The local provider will work in partnership with the community to develop a Community Action Plan, which will set out employment, economic and community development goals.

There is also a new $240 million Community Development Fund, which will support meaningful local projects developed by the community to help get people ready for work.

A new $508 million Participation Account will help local people get ready for work and participate in activities that benefit the community.  This will help local jobseekers overcome barriers to work and will deliver services such as literacy and numeracy training or support to tackle alcohol and drug abuse.

Senator Pratt said the Remote Jobs and Communities would also include a focus on providing local youth with clear pathways to employment under the new Remote Youth Development and Leadership Corps.

“This new initiative will provide nine to twelve month work-experience and mentoring opportunities so that young people can make a successful transition from school to work,” Senator Pratt said.

Media contact: Senator Pratt’s office – 1300 301 874 (rural WA callers) or 9225 4411

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