Local businesses get behind Centrelink Jobs Expo
Western Australia media release
Monday, 19 April 2010
Over 60 WA businesses looking for staff are rallying their support and taking advantage of the ‘turbo-charged jobs supermarket’ that is the ‘Keep Australia Working’ Centrelink Jobs Expo, to be held in Rockingham on Thursday 22 April at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex.
The Keep Australia Working Jobs Expo initiative introduced by the Australian Government in October last year has proven a great success, with 900 exhibitors providing nearly 5,000 employment opportunities for job seekers from the 11 jobs expos held so far.
The 60 businesses already registered for the Rockingham Jobs Expo will bring with them hundreds of full time, part time and casual jobs, as well as apprenticeships and graduate positions in many varied fields of employment.
Centrelink’s Jobs Expo National Manager, Malcolm Mill, said the Rockingham Jobs Expo will bring great opportunities for both employers and local job seekers.
"The Rockingham Jobs Expo is a practical way for employers, industry groups, recruitment and training providers as well as Federal, State and Local Government to connect directly with local job seekers," Mr Mill said.
"The expo’s a one-stop jobs supermarket where job seekers and employers can engage in person and gauge what one another have to offer.
"Feedback we’re receiving from exhibitors so far is that they support the jobs expo concept and are looking forward to the opportunity to interact one-on-one with jobseekers.
"The employment immediacy that the jobs expos provides is striking a real chord with both employers and job seekers," Mr Mill said
Leading local employment provider, Community First International, has also thrown their support behind the expo, bringing with them a diverse range of jobs in the fields of labouring, stores and warehousing, administration, customer service, forklift operators, retail and hospitality.
Community First International’s Executive Manager for Job Services Australia, Mark Furr, said businesses such as theirs see many benefits in being involved in the Centrelink Jobs Expo.
"Community First is a leading provider of employment and community services in many regions of WA and has established strong links with those communities. We are proud to be a not for profit organisation delivering employment services, committed to empowering individuals and developing new and innovative ways to increase the social and economic outcomes for local areas. The Centrelink Jobs Expo is another great way to make a real difference and assist those unemployed in the South West Metropolitan area of Perth," Mr Furr said.
Federal Member for Brand, Gary Gray, who is responsible for bringing the Centrelink Jobs Expo to Rockingham, said both he and the Government is committed to getting local job seekers working again post the Global Economic Crisis.
"The people of Rockingham, Kwinana and Mandurah have been hit hard by the Global Economic Crisis. Many jobs have been lost and I know families have been struggling to make ends meet. But change is just around the corner and I’m confident that this jobs expo, along with the work I’ve been doing to identify the skills needs of the resources sector, will be pivotal to many people who live here and to this region’s recovery," Mr Gray said.
Entry for exhibitors and job seekers is free and job seekers are encouraged to bring a current 1-page resume on the day.
Jobs Expo Ambassador and well-known sports commentator, Karl Langdon, will be at the Jobs Expo, along with special guest former West Coast Eagle, Chris Lewis, and Channel Seven sports personality, Adrian Barich. A host of other entertainment and a huge sausage sizzle is also planned.
The Rockingham ‘Keep Australia Working’ Centrelink Jobs Expo is on Thursday 22 April from 10 am – 3 pm at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex, corner Goddard Street and Dixon Road, Rockingham.
Media Opportunity
- What: Centrelink’s Jobs Expo National Manager, Malcolm Mill, Executive Manager of Job Services Australia, Mark Furr, and a representative of Fremantle Ports, who are also participating at the expo, will be available for interviews and photos
- When: Tuesday, 20 April at 11 am – 11:30 am
- Where: Fremantle Ports, corner Cliff Street and Victoria Quay Road, Fremantle
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.