Inquiry seeks input for job opportunities
Four of the six committee members - chair and Member for Lara John Eren and Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly, both from the ALP, deputy chair and Liberal Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood and The Nationals deputy leader and Member for Euroa Steph Ryan – were at the Warragul hearing.
The committee is inquiring into sustainable employment for disadvantaged jobseekers is due to report to the government with its recommendations by the end of next June.
Consistent themes in the public presentations were the high rate of unemployment in Gippsland compared to the rest of Victoria, challenges for the region in transitioning from coal generated electricity produced in the Latrobe Valley, and education and training.
Verbal presentations were made on behalf of Baw Baw and Latrobe City councils, the Kurnai community,
Committee for Gippsland, Greater Dandenong regional employment taskforce, GROW Gippsland, Apprenticeship Group Australia, Warragul RSL and West Gippsland Trade Training Alliance and Deng Chuor.
Committee for Gippsland chief executive Jane Oakley said the government could assist by highlighting and showcasing the main industries where job options and opportunities lie, streamlining the number of employment providers and agencies and improving transport options – especially for young jobseekers that don’t have cars – to attend training and educational institutions.
Ms Oakley said Gippsland had a wide range of categories of job seekers from all age groups and people with disabilities.
She said many young people were not “job ready” and did not see prospects for long careers in the region while other people – especially those in transition phases – found salaries at available jobs did not match their expectations.
Ms Oakley said “industry is not quite getting what it wanted from education” (of prospective employees) and was trending to internal training.
Baw Baw shire chief executive officer Alison Leighton told the committee there was scope to look at a “better strategic alliance” between groups working in the interests of those that are disadvantaged and the private sector.
She said there were many not-for-profit organisations looking to help the disadvantaged and there was a lot of goodwill but it is a “very crowded space”.
Most presenters agreed with committee member Ms Connolly that a background that included drug, alcohol and other non-work related issues hindered job prospects of many, especially younger people, but solutions were not easy.
Ms Oakley said a lot walk away when told their backgrounds would be “screened” and Ms Leighton and Latrobe City CEO Steven Piasente said occupational health and safety was a significant consideration at their councils.
Ms Leighton said Baw Baw Shire was currently reviewing its drug and alcohol policy looking at health and safety of employees, including those required to used machinery, but also considering the welfare of employees that may have issues.