Member for Lyne, David Gillespie has joined Regional Development Minister, Fiona Nash, Kevin Hogan and Luke Hartsuyker to announce the NSW North Coast Jobs and Investment Packages Local Planning Committee, designed to tackle the rate of unemployment in the electorate.
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Liz Campbell has been named chair of the committee with George Cecato, Mark Holden, Ilze Jaunberzins, Guy Jones, Russell Logan, Bruce Moy, Neil Porter, Murray Richardson and Alex Smith to serve as members.
Dr Gillespie said the advisory panel consists of business and local government identities who will determine the priority sectors and industries that have the potential for optimal employment growth.
The addition of the committee is a part of the Federal government’s $25 million jobs package, an investment Dr Gillespie is hopeful will leverage a $25 million return for the North Coast economy.
The minister also announced young people across the electorate would reap the benefits of the Federal government’s jobactive PaTH program.
The PaTH (Prepare- Trial- Hire) has been designed to ensure young people are better prepared for the workforce and able to be hired by local businesses.
The program is a part of the $840 million dollar Youth Employment Package announced in last year’s Federal Budget.
Skills training used to gain employment will begin in April where local adolescents will receive a clearer understanding of what employer expectations are.
Following the completion of training, up to 30,000 young job seekers each year will be eligible to complete an internship placement of four to 12 weeks.
All internships are voluntary but will see an upfront $1000 payment to any business that hosts an intern as well as an additional $200 fortnightly payment to a job seeker’s welfare support.
Businesses which then take on an eligible young person as an employee or apprentice can receive a Youth Bonus wage subsidy between $6500 and $10,000.
Dr Gillespie said the driving force for the plan was giving young people independence away from welfare payments.
“The Coalition is determined that younger generations are not confined to a lifetime of welfare dependency however the first step must be to ensure that they have the basic skills required to enter the workforce,” Dr Gillespie said.
If you own a business and would like to trial an intern, registrations can be made at https://www.employment.gov.au/youth-jobs-path