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Boost for regional unemployed

25 September 2009

South Australia's regions will receive nearly $15 million over the next year to train unemployed people for jobs in local industries.

The money is being made available under South Australia Works, a highly successful South Australian Government  program.

Announcing the funding, Employment, Training and Further Education Minister, Michael O'Brien says 17 regions across the State would receive a total of $14.9 million.

This is made up of $7.7 million of South Australian Government funding and $7.2 million from industry, community organisations and the Commonwealth.

"The South Australia Works in the Regions program will enable 6,500 regional South Australians, who are facing barriers in entering or re-entering the workforce, to take part in the very targeted and effective work programs provided in their region with local employers," Mr O'Brien says.

"The program involves regionally-based, learning, skills and training activities which we anticipate will result in 3,455 participants finding work with the remainder being placed on pathways to employment.

"In addition, over 2,000 people across South Australia will participate in developmental activities to kick start their careers.

"South Australia Works in the Regions, now in its sixth year, has been extremely successful because it's locally based.

"Since 2004, more than 40,560 South Australians have participated in this program, resulting in 17,115 people gaining work, and all participants being supported to achieve further workplace skills, further education and training," Mr O'Brien says.

"The spirit and strength of the program lies in the genuine partnerships that have been developed and maintained in each region between industry, community, non-government and government partners.

"At the centre of this partnership are the 17 local Employment and Skills Formation Networks, the Regional Development Boards, the City of Onkaparinga, Northern Futures Inc, Western Futures Inc, and the North East Development Agency," Mr O'Brien says.