Western Australia Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery

New Geraldton Jobs And Skills Centre To Boost Opportunities For Mid-West Region

Victor P Taffa

• New Jobs and Skills Centre launched in Geraldton at Central Regional TAFE
• Network of 13 Jobs and Skills Centres now open across regional and metropolitan Western Australia
• Centre will offer free training information and career development services

Geraldton Jobs and Skills Centre was officially launched today by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery at Central Regional TAFE.

“New Geraldton Jobs and Skills Centre is focused on ensuring that people in the Mid-West region have access to training and services that ensure they have the skills needed to take up new opportunities for employment.” Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery said.

“Joblink Midwest in partnership with Central Regional TAFE will assist the Geraldton Jobs and Skills Centre to provide employment, career advice and training services within the local community.”

As a key McGowan Government election commitment, Jobs and Skills Centres offer Western Australians access to free practical information and advice on training and employment opportunities delivered by skilled professionals with direct links to industry.

Geraldton Jobs and Skills Centre will also provide workforce development advice on creating employment, apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities to local employers.

Services and resources provided at the Geraldton Jobs and Skills Centre are possible due to the support of Joblink Midwest and Central Regional TAFE.

Outreach services will be provided throughout the Mid-West and Gascoyne regions, from Exmouth in the north, to Wiluna in the east and Cervantes in the south. An additional drop-in centre will also be available to clients in Carnarvon at the Central Regional TAFE campus.

Aboriginal people are a key priority client group, and extensive local stakeholder consultation was undertaken to ensure Aboriginal people benefit from the new service delivery model.

Since opening, the Geraldton Jobs and Skills Centre has provided 65 individuals and organisations with résumé assistance, career guidance, job application support or workforce planning services.

Local resident, David Ronan sought advice from the Geraldton Jobs and Skills Centre to update his résumé and answer selection criteria for a job as an Aboriginal Islander Education Officer at Waggrakine Primary School. Thanks to the support and assistance David received, he was able to successfully secure the position.

Jobs and Skills Centres are complemented by a comprehensive website resource that includes a jobs notice board, qualification lists and a course search feature.