The Australian Government has announced a new Employment Facilitator that will help job seekers connect with employment and training opportunities in the Far West Orana region of NSW.
The appointment is one of 51 across the country as part of the $276 million Local Jobs Program, which aims to increase the capacity of workforces at the regional level by driving solutions to local challenges, including through supporting training and upskilling opportunities.
Bronwyn Pearson, who started in the role this week, will work hand-in-glove with local businesses, training providers and job seekers to identify labour market challenges and improve employment opportunities across the Far West, from Walgett to Broken Hill.
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, said the appointment of Employment Facilitators through the Local Jobs Program is a key part of the wider economic recovery plan, particularly for areas coming out of recent lockdowns.
“The Far West Orana Employment Region is a vast area of remote and regional New South Wales and is an essential component of the national economy through its immense agricultural footprint,” Minister Robert said.
“This appointment will help drive jobs right across the region and provide a timely boost to our skills-led economic recovery from recent lockdowns in the area.”
Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services, the Hon Luke Howarth MP, said Employment Facilitators play an important role in connecting local job seekers with local opportunities.
“We want to see local solutions to local challenges; and pulling it all together takes someone out there on the ground, that is what this appointment is all about,” Assistant Minister Howarth said.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton MP said the Far West faces unique challenges as a result of COVID-19 and will need more skilled workers as it comes out the other side.
“Creating more jobs is the key to our region’s economic recovery from COVID-19 and I look forward to working closely with Ms Pearson to help drive local jobs in key sectors for local people,” Mr Coulton said.
“It has been a difficult period with the recent lockdown but there is a bright future ahead for job seekers and employers across the region, whether that be on key infrastructure projects, upskilling people for careers in health care and social assistance or facilitating job opportunities in agriculture.
“A key focus will also be to support equitable labour market access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers and Ms Pearson will draw on her extensive experience to help achieve this.”
Ms Pearson is a high performing, experienced HR professional who is committed to best practice and strategic HR management. She comes to the Far West Orana role after a successful three-year stint as the Employment Facilitator for the New England North West Region.
The Local Jobs Program was extended in the 2021-22 Budget to 30 June 2025 and is expanding from 25 Employment Regions to cover all 51 Employment Regions across Australia, which will more than double the number of facilitator services on the ground around the country.
More details can be found at: https://www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program
Photo caption: Map of Far West Orana Employment Region
