By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A UNITED effort to tackle Geelong’s jobs challenge is underway.
G21 Alliance chief executive Elaine Carbines said tackling joblessness was a clear priority for the region.
“Changes to Geelong’s large manufacturing base are reshaping the local economy and jobs market,” Ms Carbines said.
“The pending Ford and Alcoa plant closures and the recent departure of QANTAS heavy maintenance can’t be ignored, so the timing could not be better for the introduction of an innovative jobs-creation project that has been quietly coming together behind the scenes for some time.”
Ms Carbines said G21 Region Opportunities for Work (GROW) was a joint initiative between G21, its member councils and charity Give Where You Live, which provides financial support to local welfare agencies.
“In its first stage GROW will produce a comprehensive business plan based around the significant resources already being directed to employment generation and job placement by many organisations in our region. The aim is not to replace the good work of others but to ensure a coordinated and systematic approach across the region.”
Ms Carbines said the GROW business plan would focus on areas of disadvantage by drawing on the experience of the business community, local, state and federal government agencies and service providers.
The GROW business plan would help:
* increase local employment through better-targeted procurement processes;
* identify finance and support opportunities to increase growth in small-to-medium-size enterprises; and
* encourage systematic training and support to help people from areas of high unemployment back into work.
State Government has supported GROW with $100,000 from a Victorian Regional Growth Fund, while G21, its five councils and Give Where You Live have provided matching funding.
“The positive community response already emerging in support of GROW is further evidence that people and organisations want the region to work together to meet social and economic challenges,” Ms Carbines said.
