City joins Working for Victoria initiative

THE City of Greater Geelong council has joined the latest stage of a state government scheme that will create more than 200 jobs here.

On Tuesday, the council was among the 10 new local government authorities to have signed up to Working for Victoria.

Under Working for Victoria, the council will employ people who have lost their jobs due to the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) or have been without work for a longer period of time.

The $500 million Victorian Government initiative is matching people who have lost their jobs with employers needing additional staff.

The City of Greater Geelong council was successful in applying for the fund after it was launched in April.

Roles will be offered on six-month terms in areas including:

• Community Sport and Recreation Sanitisation
• Field Asset Data Collection
• Family Services Sanitisation
• City Works Cleaning and Sanitisation
• Graffiti Removal
• Environment and Waste Support
• City Works, Geelong Waterfront and Parks and Gardens Support and Sanitisation.

“The City of Greater Geelong is really pleased to be taking part in Working for Victoria and is looking forward to welcoming more than 200 new employees on board,” Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher said.

“At any one time there are members of our community who are out of work, and sadly the COVID-19 pandemic has forced more
people into this uncertain and very stressful situation.

“If you’re looking for a job, this is an excellent opportunity. Please visit the Working for Victoria website and apply.”

South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman welcomed the announcement.

“The City of Greater Geelong signing on to the Working for Victoria program is a big step in promoting local jobs and getting people back into employment to assist the South Barwon community,” he said.

Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford said the majority of the latest 3,000 jobs backed by the Working for Victoria scheme would be focused on community service organisations and young people.

For more information on Working for Victoria, head to vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria.