Print this page
Council partners with TAFE to address skills shortage

Council partners with TAFE to address skills shortage

HOLROYD City Council partnered with South West Connect and TAFE to address the jobs and skills shortages across Western Sydney by hosting the 2015 Seek A Skill Careers Expo last month.

The two-day event gave more than 1200 local students from Holroyd, Fairfield and Liverpool, the opportunity to receive a unique and interactive 'hands on' insight into a trade, job or industry.

Holroyd City Council Mayor Greg Cummings said a total of 42 exhibitors from a wide range of trades and industries passed on valuable information, tips and experience about their respective careers and career paths.

"The expo provided a great chance for students to learn first-hand about all types of different jobs and industries, what’s involved in them and the best ways they can reach their career goals," Mayor Cummings said.

"Carpentry exhibits students were taught practical skills like correctly sawing a piece of wood and shown how to use a drill press properly, whilst at the automotive exhibit students were timed on how quickly they could change a tyre.

"Most exhibitors planned activities that really interacted well with the students, and it was easy to see the smiles and fun they were having.

"Q&A sessions were also held throughout the Expo, and Council will be evaluating all the feedback from students and exhibitors for our future jobs events.

"Holroyd Council is committed to tackling youth unemployment and skills shortages in the area any way we can and we will continue to engage with young people in our community to give them direction and guidance at every opportunity we can."

The Expo also saw the launch of exciting, new mobile technology which allows local jobseekers to connect with businesses who need workers in the area.

Developed in Australia, the WORKible app reduces the complexity of connection and awareness and significantly reduces both costs and time for businesses looking to hire and allows jobseekers to find out local jobs easy, wherever they are.

"Most employers make do with a scattergun approach of newspaper ads, mainstream job boards, asking friends and families and signs in store windows but all of this amounts to a time consuming and costly process that often delivers less than stellar results," Co-Founder, Fiona Anson, said.

"Using WORKible, Holroyd City jobseekers can join the Holroyd City Shortlist to find work in the community.

"By registering on this Shortlist, jobseekers will be alerted to job opportunities in the area that match their availability, skills and interests the instant they become available - and all directly to their phone. And employers will have access to this on-tap talent pool of active candidates anytime, anywhere.

When a business in the Holroyd area needs to find staff, they can post the opportunity in less than a minute through WORKible and instantly notify all of the local candidates that match their needs.

"They can even video interview them to save them travel time until they know they’re perfect for the job."

The App makes is the ideal tool for young jobseekers that need to work around school, college or university hours, working parents, carers or family obligations.

"WORKible is working alongside local community groups, education providers, job placement services, Government offices and business associations with a common goal of getting more local people into work and making finding people easier and cheaper for local businesses.

Small businesses can post up to one job per month absolutely free.

"For some businesses, especially those who might be feeling the pinch of the current economic climate, having subsidies like these available can make the difference between hiring an extra pair of hands - or working another 20 hours a week themselves.

This platform will allow those business owners to identify candidates that come with the appropriate subsidies."

Job seekers can join The Holroyd City Shortlist now by visiting www.workible.com.au or downloading the WORKible App from the App Store or Google Play.



editor

Publisher
Michael Walls
michael@accessnews.com.au
0407 783 413