Gordon awarded funding to deliver the Local Jobs Program

The Australian Government funded Local Jobs Program for the Barwon region has been awarded to The Gordon Institute of TAFE.

The Local Jobs Program supports Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Operating until 30 June 2025, the program will bring together expertise, resources and access to funding at the local level to focus on reskilling, upskilling and employment pathways for people across 51 regions nationally. 

The program, funded through the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, will enable the delivery of local Employment Facilitators and Support Officer Services, the development of a Local Jobs Plan and stakeholder engagement through the Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce.

Gordon CEO Joe Ormeno said, “Our approach to identify and drive regional employment priorities and implement the Local Jobs Program will build on the great work already under way in the region. 

“Working in collaboration with key stakeholders, the Local Jobs Program will support the Barwon region’s current and future labour requirements, as well as provide job seekers the skills and support required to get back into the workforce or transition to meet the demands of our region’s growing industry sectors.”

Two newly appointed Employment Facilitators will drive the roll out of the Local Jobs Program, in recognition of their commitment to understanding regional priorities, raising education attainment levels, increasing workforce participation through training and reskilling and growing existing and emerging industries through targeted skills development continues to reap rewards for local employers and job seekers.

Carley Brennan, newly appointed Barwon Employment Facilitator and Manager of Skilling the Bay, said, “The introduction of the Local Jobs Program in the Barwon region provides our communities with a tremendous opportunity to better connect job seekers of all descriptions with jobs that exist now and with those that are emerging in our local labour market.”

Training and reskilling opportunities are expected to include tailored non-accredited training, professional development, and job seeker mentoring, work experience, and employment pathway and internship programs.

Joining Carley as Barwon co-Employment Facilitator is Tracey Jeffery, who will work with local employers, employment service providers and training organisations to drive the development of a Local Jobs Plan.

Ms Jeffery will also support local stakeholders to create targeted projects that meet the priorities of the plan, and will work with organisations that apply for funding through the Local Recovery Fund to ensure employment opportunities are maximised through enhanced coordination of existing initiatives and minimise time out of work or training for local job seekers.

Locally the program will leverage the important work of Skilling the Bay, who in collaboration with key stakeholders is developing a Regional Skills Strategy to support a socio-economic recovery and the ongoing delivery of education, employment and skills initiatives.