Local and tailored projects aimed at helping Cairns recover from the economic impact of COVID-19 will be supported through the Australian Government Local Recovery Fund.
Applications are now open for local groups and organisations to apply to receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $200,000, to develop projects, including mentoring, training and reskilling, in line with local employment needs.
The Local Recovery Fund is a key component of the Local Jobs Program and will fund projects, or parts of larger projects, that are not being supported through existing programs or activities.
The fund will help drive job outcomes in Cairns with locally-led initiatives aimed at getting more people back into work.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the program is focused on reskilling, upskilling and creating employment pathways to help people move back into jobs as the economy recovers from COVID-19.
“Projects supported under the Local Recovery Fund will be locally driven initiatives that are aligned to Cairn’s employment related priorities, as identified in a Local Job Plan,” Mr. Entsch said.
North Queensland-based Senator Susan McDonald strongly encouraged stakeholders in Cairns to work together and put forward innovative project ideas under the Local Recovery Fund.
“We want to hear about new ways to connect job seekers with training or employment opportunities that support improved labour market outcomes in our region,” Senator McDonald said.
“Cairns was particularly hard hit by COVID, and its great reliance on tourism means there’s a real need to assist people with training.”
Twenty-five Employment Facilitators across the nation have been engaged as part of the Local Jobs Program to help connect job seekers to local employment opportunities.
The Employment Facilitators will chair Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces across Australia.
The taskforces will bring together local employers, employment and training providers and other local stakeholders, to collaborate and develop projects funded by the Local Recovery Fund to get job seekers back into work.
Applications for the Local Recovery Fund will open from November 3, 2020 with funding available from mid-December 2020.
Further details on how to apply can be found at: www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program
Further details on the Cairns Taskforce can be found at: www.employment.gov.au/cairns
