The Albanese Government will partner with the Allan Labor Government to pilot a new Local Jobs Hub, to help more people get jobs near where they live and give local businesses a pipeline of skilled workers for the future.
The pilot will start with a Local Jobs Hub in the Hume-Broadmeadows region in outer metro Melbourne, and will create a more coordinated approach to workforce planning and assistance in the local area.
The Hub will support a broad group of Victorians looking for help to get into work, including those not on income support - like young people looking for a new career pathways and people who want to work but are not currently in the workforce.
This pilot is another step in the Albanese Government's employment services reforms, and will inform future investment in local job opportunities.
A Local Jobs Hub steering committee will be established, and from 1 July 2025 they will get priority funding consideration for local jobs projects under a new $10 million National Priority Fund. This fund is part of the recently announced $64 million extension of the Local Jobs Program to 30 June 2027.
Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Murray Watt said the pilot was an important step forward in assisting more Australians into work.
"We're pleased to partner with the Allan Government to help more Victorians find the jobs they are looking for, and help businesses find the workers they need now and into the future," Minister Watt said.
"This pilot will also provide the evidence we need to reform the employment services system into one that makes the most of the capacities of the Australian people, and builds a stronger, more productive economy.
"Rather than fitting the region to the program, we need to be listening to what the region needs to build a thriving workforce in the future, and building from the ground up.
"This pilot will ensure key actors like local councils, employers, TAFEs and other skills providers have a meaningful seat at the table when it comes to local job planning in their region.
"We know that communities have valuable knowledge we can tap into about reskilling for future needs, and creating stronger links between students and workplaces.
Victorian Minister for Employment Vicki Ward welcomed this pilot as a major step in the Commonwealth Government better supporting Victorians seeking to find meaningful employment opportunities.
"This pilot builds on other important services we provide Victorians seeking employment that provide people with support and guidance in their employment efforts."
"This new pilot is a welcomed indication that the Commonwealth Government is serious about local place-based community supports, connecting local businesses with skilled and eager potential employees."
The pilot responds to a recommendation from the Select Committee's Report that the Australian Government should partner with state governments with strong examples of locally grounded employment services that are well connected to communities.
