Husic and Coker talk jobs in Torquay

LABOR is considering changes ahead of the federal election to how people are supported to find jobs, with Shadow Minister for Employment Ed Husic discussing the issue with job providers, workers and students in Geelong and the Surf Coast.

Mr Husic and Labor Corangamite candidate Libby Coker visited Torquay Stockfeeds, which has employed two people through MatchWorks (run locally by genU), as well as with students at Oberon High School.

Mr Husic said he was visiting employment service providers across the country.

“There’s still a big number of people that are unemployed in Australia, and we’ve got to find smarter ways to get people into work, so I’m keen to hear first-hand about how people are going, how organisations like MatchWorks are working with local businesses, because that has been the big challenge under this current contract; getting more businesses to work with job programs.

“I definitely want to examine what we’re talking about today, about the wage subsides and how they get structured. At the moment, they’re not used enough, only 30 to 40 per cent of the total budget for wage subsidies gets used, so if there are other ways that we can use subsidies better, I’m all ears.”

Ms Coker said she worked in a subsidised position with the CSIRO earlier in her life.

“It gave me an opportunity, but I do think we need to look at how we actually extend that period and give young unemployed people, particularly those who are long-term unemployed, a longer time to fit in, to understand the world of work, to really grow in the position to the point that an employer will take them on.

“Ultimately, what we want is for people to have ongoing, secure work. If you’re the first person in your family that’s had ongoing, secure work, it is a huge thing, it’s a huge achievement – and that’s what Labor wants to see.”