Separate injections of state and federal funding could put more than 500 people to work around Geelong.
The state money would help “disadvantaged Victorians in the Geelong region find meaningful work and keep it”, Employment Minister Wade Noonan announced on Thursday 25 August.
The $2.8 million would go to five “respected regional job service providers” to find jobs for nearly 500 people, the government said.
“These providers will target retrenched workers from the auto industry, Aboriginal Victorians, young people and those with disability or mental illness.
“They will launch targeted services, working closely with employers to find work for disadvantaged people who often face multiple barriers to employment and who have fallen through the cracks of the federal system.”
The government said its initiative would take up the slack of federal programs that mostly targeted “job-ready” candidates rather than people with “complex barriers to employment who require more intensive support”.
“Our new program will focus on developing partnerships across employment, education and community sectors, supporting local businesses to employ job seekers who are experiencing entrenched disadvantage,” the government said.
“The services that have been selected have close working relationships with those employers that will support real job outcomes for jobseekers.
“They will create mentoring programs, tailor support schemes for employers and job seekers and develop strategies to overcome employment barriers.
“Focusing on engaging with employers, industry based training and work readiness, providers will match candidates to available local jobs.”
Employment Minister Wade Noonan said every Victorian had “a right to the dignity of a job and no one in our community should be left behind”.
“We recognise that some people in our community face multiple barriers to work, which is why we are helping disadvantaged Victorians find work and keep it,” he said.
Geelong MP Christine Couzens welcomed the program.
“These providers will work hand-in-hand with local employers to support real job outcomes for disadvantaged people in Geelong.”
The Federal Government announced $2.2 million for Lara’s SNF to build a chemical plant worth almost $11.5 million.
Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Greg Hunt visited the region on Thursday to announce the funding and other initiatives.
The liquid acrylamide facility would help replace imports and create more than 30 jobs, said Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson.
The Liberal pair also announced $250,000 for Geelong to “accelerate the growth” of its carbon fibre industry.
The money for Advanced Fibre Cluster Geelong would support local businesses and firms to develop new materials and composite manufacturing, Mr Hunt said.
