Employment and career opportunities are always changing, a fact the coronavirus pandemic has amplified.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said National Careers Week 2020, while subdued this year due to no local events occurring, was still a good opportunity for residents to examine what vocational education and training opportunities are available.

“Don’t put off examining your career path because of coronavirus – it is more important than ever to strengthen your skills and potentially diversify your career options,” he said.

“Vocational education and training is designed to help you get the skills you need to enter and succeed in the workplace.

“In some ways, there has never been a better opportunity for residents in our area to study as a lot of training has moved online, which helps people in rural and remote areas, and there are many free study opportunities available.

“Our Federal Coalition Government through the Entrepreneurship Facilitators program is providing free one-on-one zoom sessions with local Coffs Coast-based business Alt-Collective to assist small business owners with business planning and benchmarking.

“And the NSW Government through Training Services NSW has many free short courses currently available, including in growing industries such as health.

“Residents can take a look at the broad suite of vocational education and training courses on the updated MySkills website, which catalogues and compares about 2,000 online courses available from registered training organisations locally.

“There are still opportunities available and thinking about career development is a great way to broaden your horizons.”

National Careers Week runs from 18–24 May and its objectives include:

• Identifying the changing nature of work and its impact on all Australians
• Showcasing industries and the career opportunities available
• Raising aspirations, challenging stereotypes and broadening career horizons.

For more information on National Careers Week 2020 visit https://careersweek.com.au/

To view the MySkills website go to https://www.myskills.gov.au/

To book in a one-on-one zoom session with Alt-Collective business facilitator Courtney Tune visit https://www.altcollective.com.au/

To view the fee free short courses offered by Training Services NSW visit https://www.training.nsw.gov.au/

The Federal Coalition Government is supporting apprentices, trainees and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic through the $130 billion JobKeeper package and offering eligible employers a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentices or trainee’s wage for up to 9 months from 1 January to 30 September 2020.