The Andrews Labor Government’s new Jobs Victoria is helping more Victorians get back to work and businesses to find the right workers.

As part of the initiative, the Government is investing a record $619.4 million to help people looking for work to access the information, advice and support they need to find the right job for them.

This includes funding for 112 new Jobs Advocates, who will connect with jobseekers around the state to tell them about the services available to get them back to work, such as local training, counselling or mentoring support.

Two local Working for Victoria Jobs Advocates will be hitting the streets in Werribee to offer jobseekers face-to-face support and direct them to local employment and training opportunities and support services.

Jobs Victoria has partnered with more than 40 organisations to host Advocates, including local government, community sector organisations, organisations focused on supporting women and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Traditional Owner groups.

Additionally, Jobs Victoria Careers Counsellors will help people understand their career options and plan a path back to employment, while Jobs Victoria Mentors will work closely with jobseekers who need extra support to get them ready for work and placed into jobs.

About 460 new Advocates, Mentors and Careers Counsellors will create a Jobs Victoria workforce of more than 600 workers to support Victorians who are looking for work.

Victorian small and medium businesses, sole traders, local governments, social enterprises, universities and charitable and not-for-profit organisations will be able to apply for more than $250 million worth of wage supplements to create new jobs for at least 10,000 people.

This investment will support employers to grow and recover while helping Victorians into steady jobs, with a focus on those most impacted by the pandemic, including mature-aged women.

Other initiatives by Jobs Victoria include the Jobs Victoria online hub – an easy way for jobseekers who are ready to work to be matched with employers seeking a local, job-ready workforce.

The Jobs Victoria telephone hotline also provides advice, employment information and referrals to jobseekers to support them to be work-ready and gain employment. Employers looking for staff should call the hotline too.

For more information or to register go to www.jobs.vic.gov.au/ or call 1300 208 575.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“Jobs Advocates will be on the ground in Wyndham to help people who are struggling to find employment find the information, advice and support they need.”

“Advocates will provide one-on-one support to jobseekers so that no one is left behind.”