Central Coast and Hunter a new Priority Employment Area

The adoption of the Central Coast-Hunter region as a Priority Employment Area follows strong representations to the Federal Government by Mr Thomson, especially on the region’s high youth unemployment.

“I am delighted that the region has been recognised as a Priority Employment Area because this will now give us better resources to help protect jobs and create new employment,” said Mr Thomson.

Mr Thomson said the first step is to appoint a Local Employment Coordinator to keep the Central Coast working. The coordinator will play a vital role in linking locals to employment opportunities.

“It’s great to have these resources available for the Central Coast. Our Local Employment Coordinator will work towards identifying job and apprenticeship opportunities now while also building the skills the local community needs for the future to take up opportunities once the economy recovers.

Mr Thomson also welcomed the interim Keep Australia Working report and other important recommendations in the report, which mean the Government will:

• Hold a Keep the Central Coast Working Forum to develop a Strategic Regional Employment Plan;
• Conduct a Centrelink Jobs Expo and financial information seminar in the Central Coast-Hunter Priority Employment Area; and
• Consider how best, in the future, to focus the Jobs Fund projects in priority areas like the Central Coast-Hunter that produce local jobs for local people, training and apprenticeships, and pathways to long-term employment.

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