Tara Murray
Youth unemployment in Melbourne’s west has grown to more than 20 per cent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Western Melbourne Local Jobs Taskforce,
Jobs for young people, women over 45 and refugee migrants are among those that have been hardest hit, according to local employment facilitator Terry Kennedy
Mr Kennedy, who is also the head of the Western Melbourne Local Jobs Taskforce, said there had been some negative impacts of the pandemic across the west.
“Youth unemployment is up around the 20 per cent mark in March this year, it was about 11 per cent before COVID-19,” he said.
“The youth unemployment issue is ongoing. Women 45-plus and refugee migrants are others who have been affected.
“We’re focused on getting as many opportunities as possible for particular groups. We want to try and bring those people into employment and work with them if they’ve been retrenched to try and stop them from being unemployed long term.”
Mr Kennedy, who has worked in employment across the west for the last 10 years, said the taskforce will play a key role in helping to try and bring some co-ordination between different parties in employment.
Taskforces will be set up across all of the state and will be funded until 2025.
“The idea is to try and bring some co-ordination between the groups,” he said.
“Employees, the three levels of government, recruitment and job agencies and training organisations.
“We’re trying to get a co-ordinated approach to fill skill shortages in the west and get disadvantaged workers in roles, whether through government investment or private investment.”
Mr Kennedy said the taskforce was looking to work with employers to gain opportunities for local workers.
He said there were many key industries in the west that were booming and they were looking to place workers in those jobs.
“They’re always calling for people in the health sector,” he said. “Whether it’s in hospitality, catering or transport, we’re always looking to get people in the region qualified for allied health types of roles. Health is growing in terms of demand and services are increasing.
“Transport and logistics is also huge at the moment. Manufacturing in the region has gone up. There will be a big need for workers in construction in the next 10-15 years.
“We’re working with some of the big companies as well to make sure local people are getting opportunities.”
Brimbank council was due to host a meeting of the taskforce late last month, but due to COVID-19 the meeting was held online.
The council has been advocating for the creation of the taskforce and continues to push for the taskforce to be permanently based in Sunshine.
Mayor Ranka Rasic said the taskforce is a welcome step in contributing to the region’s economy, and creating more jobs and job opportunities for our people.
“We believe the taskforce will support the recovery of communities across Brimbank and the wider west and ensure we continue to build capacity and vibrant economies.
“This is important for our community and our commitment to building a more secure jobs and skills future.”
