Councils are quickly realising the many advantages Australian JobSearch (www.jobsearch.gov.au) has to offer. A free service for all Councils and businesses within their area, this website is a quick and easy means to link job seekers with employers in the local region.
As well as assisting with their own recruitment needs, Councils are also actively encouraging local employers to use this free service. Australian JobSearch is a vital tool for people seeking work in the local area.
Councillor Donna Neilson, from Cooloola Shire Council in Queensland, through her work as a job pathways officer at a local school, is an avid user of JobSearch.
“This is an excellent means to match local people with local jobs,” Councillor Neilson said. “Councils and local businesses can see what skills are available in the community as often as they like with the click of a mouse.”
Councillor Neilson believes having a hot link on Council’s website to JobSearch would not only be a useful resource for businesses and local people seeking work, but invaluable for people moving into the area and wanting to see what employment opportunities are available.
With Councils often the key player in establishing community portals, including a link to Australian JobSearch is a must.
At Macedon Ranges Shire Council, located one hour north of Melbourne, Council’s Youth Services and Economic Development Branches are very enthusiastic about the capabilities of JobSearch.
Macedon Ranges’ Youth Officer uses JobSearch to assist young job seekers in the local area. In addition, through Council’s Economic Development Branch, the local business association is working with young job seekers providing feedback as they develop their resumes to put up on the JobSearch site.
“It’s a fantastic site,” said Councillor John Letchford. “It is interactive and exciting, providing a comprehensive jobs list that can be searched broad based or under specialist areas. You can search by the local area or the surrounding region. But the bottomline is that it is free both for job seekers, and employers either listing positions or searching for skilled staff.”
Councillor Letchford believes Local Government has a key role to play in ensuing job seekers and employers are aware of this site and are connecting to it.
For further information on Australian JobSearch contact Jacqui Pinkava, telephone (02) 6121 5416.
