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Attracting urban job seekers to regions

Media Release | 28 August 2008

A major employment initiative aims to attract urban job seekers to South Australian regional areas to address local skill needs.

The Regional Skills Mobility Program, costing $760,000, has been jointly funded by the State Government, the Commonwealth and industry. 

Minister for Regional Development Rory McEwen says the 18-month program will be piloted in the Riverland, Murraylands and Limestone Coast regions.

"I applaud this initiative as it will not only support and encourage regional migration to areas experiencing skills and labour shortages, but will also provide a blueprint for other regional centres," Minister McEwen says.

"The level of support that will be provided through this collaborative project is outstanding.

'The project will be supported in each of the three regions by local experts and job seekers will be provided with a reference tool kit that includes information on access to community infrastructure and services."

Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Paul Caica, whose department is involved with the initiative says the program aims to achieve the successful and sustainable relocation of 140 job seekers from Adelaide to the regional centres.

"We are streamlining recruitment services to take into account skill, employment and lifestyle issues that can impact upon the jobseeker's decision to relocate for employment and training," he says.

"Employers in these regions will be assisted in packaging positions so they are more attractive to urban job-seekers.

"The types of jobs available include everything from agrifood professionals, diesel mechanics, and timber workers to health professionals, fishing crew and hospitality workers."

The Primary Industries Skills Council SA, which has been funded to manage the project, will liaise with employment agencies to register the skills, interests and needs of job seekers wanting to move to the regions.

Visit: www.pisc.org.au/regionalskills or contact PISC (08) 8303 2790.