Collaborations help keep jobless rate down
LOCAL businesses working effectively together is helping keep the unemployment rate in Dubbo below the average for regional areas, according to the region’s biggest private employer.
Fletcher International Exports has partnered with Job Service Providers around town such as Sureway and Joblink Plus to provide “information sessions” to potential workers, and Fletcher’s HR manager Maddy Herbert says those providers are helping make sure all potential employees have a good understanding of Fletcher International and what opportunities are available with the company.
“These sessions help establish
a familiarity with the company and give job seekers an opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the company itself,” Ms Herbert told Dubbo Photo News.
“It often results in deeper discussion around topics such as the industry as a whole, the effects of drought and issues faced by job seekers within the community.”
With the Orana region’s unemployment rate at just 2.2 per cent (Dubbo’s rate is actually sitting at 1.8 per cent), she said Fletcher’s continues to focus on employing locals and maintaining job security for their team of 800, even during tough seasons.
“The Fletcher family are locals employing locals, celebrating more than 30 years in the Dubbo community,” Ms Herbert said.
“Partnering with local organisations allows the company to continue to strengthen our ties to the community and give Dubbo’s people a fair go.”
Sureway Dubbo’s senior employer relationship coordinator Alina Zimmerman says the organisation’s ongoing relationship with Fletcher International is vital.
“Putting our jobseekers into work at Fletcher’s changes their lives and benefits the local community,” Ms Zimmerman said.
“To see the jobseekers and the difference it makes in their lives is very rewarding.
“We hold regular information sessions that are always well received, with positive feedback and keen applicants that want to work at Fletcher’s,” she said.