Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
Mr Phillip Thompson OAM MP
Member for Herbert
Mr George Christensen MP
Member for Dawson
Local Recovery Fund Open in Townsville for Local Jobs Pathways
Local and tailored projects aimed at helping Townsville recover from the economic impact of COVID-19 will be supported through the Morrison Government’s Local Recovery Fund.
Applications are now open for local groups and organisations to apply to receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $200,000, to develop projects, including mentoring, training and reskilling, in line with local employment needs.
The Local Recovery Fund is a key component of the Local Jobs Program and will fund projects, or parts of larger projects, that are not being supported through existing programs or activities.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the fund will help drive job outcomes in Townsville with locally led initiatives aimed at getting more Australians back into work.
“Local Jobs is focused on reskilling, upskilling and creating employment pathways to help people move back into jobs as the economy recovers from COVID-19,” Minister Cash said.
The Federal Member for Herbert, Mr. Phil Thompson OAM MP, said projects supported under the Local Recovery Fund will be locally driven initiatives that are aligned to Townsville’s employment related priorities, as identified in the Local Job Plan.
“We need to be able to adapt to the challenges that COVID-19 have created, so having this funding available for local groups and organisations to jump on board and help create jobs in Townsville as we recover from the pandemic is a great step,” Mr. Thompson said.
The Federal Member for Dawson, Mr. George Christensen MP, said we want to hear about new ways to connect job seekers with training or employment opportunities that support improved labour market outcomes in regions with high rates of unemployment.
“The Morrison Government is committed to getting Australians back to work by supporting locally-driven pathways to jobs,” Mr. Christensen said.
As part of the Local Jobs Program 25 Employment Facilitators, have been engaged to help connect job seekers to local employment opportunities.
The Employment Facilitators will chair Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces across Australia. The taskforces will bring together local employers, employment and training providers and other local stakeholders, to collaborate and develop projects funded by the Local Recovery Fund to get job seekers back into work.
Applications for the Local Recovery Fund will open from 3 November with funding available from mid-December 2020.
Further details on how to apply can be found at www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program
Further details on the Townsville Taskforce: https://www.employment.gov.au/townsville
ENDS