A LANDMARK initiative, recently introduced by the Victorian Government, is now being rolled out across the state in an effort to support Victorians to get back into work.
112 newly appointed Job Advocates will be joined by hundreds of mentors and careers counsellors in the months ahead, as the state Government rolls out its $619.4M Jobs Victoria plan, 25 percent of which will be stationed throughout regional Victoria, with a view to return thousands of Victorian residents to the workforce.
Jobs Victoria Advocates will be present in a range of locations such as libraries, community halls and shopping centres, to provide assistance to people who have lost their jobs; due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the long-term unemployed, to access employment service providers, training opportunities and other support services.
The Jobs Victoria fund will support both Victorians looking for work, and businesses looking to grow; with wage subsidy payments of up to $20,000 available to employers who take on workers, and a particular focus on women over 45, and those who have been hardest hit by the financial impacts of the pandemic.
Minister for Employment, Jaala Pulford explained, “Women bore the brunt of the pandemic and this targeted support will help thousands of them secure new jobs. Businesses need support as they recover and grow – we’re providing very real assistance to employers who are ready to take on workers.”
Key to the Labor Government’s ambitious jobs target – to create 400,000 new jobs by 2025; is to achieve half this number by next year.
More information on the initiative can be found at jobs.vic.gov.au.
