A better future through work

The combination of the strong economy and an ageing population means there has never been a better time to get a job. This prosperity is reflected in the jobs growth figures. In the last four years alone, the Government's privatised job placement agency, known as Job Network, has placed over 2.5 million people into jobs. Job Network has been successful because the programmes and support it offers to both businesses and job seekers is flexible and tailored to their individual needs.

Job Network offers free employment services from over 1000 sites across Australia to job seekers. Each job seeker receives one-on-one support to find a job. For those who are unable to work, or require specific help to overcome any barriers they have to work, there are a range of programmes, including the Personal Support Programme and Disability Support Programme.

The Government's job placement programmes and mutual obligation policies have helped to drastically reduce long-term unemployment. The number of people who have been unemployed for longer than a year now stands at 66,700. This number has been slashed by almost two thirds under the Howard Government and is 80 per cent lower than the peak of 329,800 in May 1993.

Some of the success is due to the Work for the Dole programme which gives people a chance to get real-life work experience in a community setting. Within three months of finishing their placement, 40 per cent of Work for the Dole participants are in work or training.

We don't expect someone to be put up to an employer who doesn't have the required skills, aptitude or the work ethic so that they're destined to fail. That is of no benefit to anyone but we also believe that the workplace is often the best place to learn new skills and build on these skills with additional training.

Job Network has been instrumental in linking job seekers with local employers and helping to give them the head start they need to start their career. The hugely successful Whyalla Goal 100 is a case in point.

The steel works town of Whyalla in South Australia has higher than average unemployment, but at the same time a booming steel and mining sector. Last year local employer, OneSteel teamed up with Job Network providers and local stakeholders and with funding from the Government they ran an intensive 20-week training programme for the local unemployed. If participants passed the training, they got a job. It was a guarantee. I attended the graduation and shared in the participants' joy at completing the training. For some, it was the first time they'd had a job. Powerful generational changes took place that night as children proudly witnessed their parent's achievements and vowed that they would follow in their footsteps. Goal 100 demonstrates the versatility of Job Network and the Government's commitment to tailoring programmes to suit the needs of job seekers and employers.

While unemployment is low, there are still disadvantaged Australians who do not have a job and rely on welfare and many employers crying out for staff. The Government is committed to getting unemployment below four per cent and keeping the economy strong. Through services like the Job Network we can achieve these objectives and give more Australians a better future through work.