The Western Australian state government this week opened a new Jobs and Skills Centre based at the South Metropolitan TAFE's Fremantle campus as part of an expansion to help Aboriginal people get more training in frontline service delivery across the state.
With 19 Jobs and Skills Centres, or JSCs, across WA, the government has established a statewide network of "one-stop-shops" for local job seekers wanting free support to connect with training and job opportunities, with specialist services available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The JSCs will see around 30 Aboriginal employment and engagement officers work across their network in a bid to help maximise training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal clients.
Western Australia's Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti said "Ensuring Aboriginal people are involved in frontline service delivery and in providing culturally appropriate and specialised services for prospective students and employers are key for maximising training and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people."
JSCs represent a central part of the state government's effort to help close the gap and provide long-term employment opportunities for Aboriginal people. In addition to the JSCs themselves, the government has also invested $8.14 million to enhance employment services for Aboriginal people, including the inclusion of more Aboriginal artwork to provide a culturally supportive, vibrant and welcoming space for Aboriginal staff and clients.
Training Minister Simone McGurk said, "Enhancing services at Jobs and Skills Centres will help to provide a better experience for jobseekers looking for sustainable employment and for their prospective employers." She also encouraged people to get in touch with their local JSC for free and friendly support.
JSCs were first launched in 2018 as part of a 2017 WA labor election commitment to help better coordinate jobs and training services for job-seekers, as well as better link business with existing training providers.
At the time the then Training Minister Sue Ellery called the JSCs a "big step forward in the training sector" as they brought together a range of services including career centres, Aboriginal workforce development and other training services.
