More than 900,000 job seekers are set to benefit from local jobs taskforces with specialised expertise and knowledge to get more Australians back into work.

Recognising the importance of local knowledge, the Morrison-McCormack Government is investing $62.8 million in a Local Jobs Program to support the nation’s recovery.

Our region of the Mid North Coast is one of 25 employment regions gaining an Employment Facilitator, an officer to work with local job seekers to connect them with training, job opportunities or other support.

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said each Employment Facilitator will chair a Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce, bringing together local employers, employment and training providers and other stakeholders, to develop projects to get job seekers back into work.

“Small and family businesses rely on their local communities and we want to tap into their expertise and connections to get people working again,” Minister Cash said.

“As the economy recovers from COVID-19, the jobs that are created may look different to those that existed before.

“The recovery is also likely to look different across sectors and communities which is why it is critical to provide tailored support to help Australians find work in their local regions.

“Local knowledge and collaboration will be vital to achieving this.”

Federal Member for Cowper welcomed this additional support for local businesses and jobseekers.

“It’s great to see what is being done on a national level through the JobMaker Plan, enabling a business-led economic recovery, is going to be mirrored at the local level through the establishment of a Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce,” he said.

“The Mid North Coast Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce will identify key employment priorities, local labour needs and design practical solutions in a Local Jobs Plan. Information provided by the National Skills Commission will inform this plan.

“Then our region will be able to apply for Local Recovery Funds for projects valued between $10,000 and $200,000.

“I will be working hard to ensure this process aligns with what Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast is doing through the North Coast Workforce Strategy and Action Plan and that we leverage all available funding programs to achieve the same aim of helping our region to recover.”

The Local Jobs Program will run until 30 June 2022. The other employment regions in New South Wales are the North Coast, Illawarra South Coast, Hunter, New England and North West, Sydney Greater West and Sydney South West.