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This is the small seaside community of Burnie on the beautiful northern coast of Tasmania
but around 10 per cent of those who live here are looking for work.
It’s an example of some areas in Australia where finding work can be difficult.
I’ve applied for about 18 different jobs. No luck so far.
And sometimes businesses find it hard to get workers.
We’ve got some positions also for some labourers and I’ll probably
pick those up today. But Mig welders are very, very hard to get.
But we’re here hoping that we’re able to pick up some today.
The Australian government recognises that
employers and jobseekers need to get together. That’s why the
Jobs and Skills Expos travelling the country are part of the
Building Australia’s Future Workforce package.
The Expo is a place that brings together both
jobseekers and employers in one place, providing opportunities for both.
And with that in mind we have to acknowledge
that these programs actually work. Across Australian some 17,000 people
have been able to secure work through arrangements like we see here today.
Here at Dandenong in Victoria, unemployment affects people
across a wide range of gender, age and multicultural communities.
They come to the Expo in the hope that face-to-face
they have a better chance of getting their experience and resumes considered.
I think for me you know, rather than over the phone or over the computer,
sometimes it’s nice to talk to a person and actually
have an explanation for your questions.
Another advantage of every expo is the jobs board, offering a wide range
of actual jobs available in the area where the Expo is held.
Are there many jobs going? There’s heaps. Yeah? Today? Hundreds, yep.
They’re all up on that jobs board up near the stage.
Are they around here though? Yep, all locals.
Here at Dandenong more than 1,000 jobs are presented on the board
and attract considerable interest.
It’s really useful. Things you know, I’ve never heard of.
You know there’s heaps of opportunities for people.
Lots of jobs, openings, and yeah, it’s good. It’s really good actually.
And because it’s a jobs and skills expo, the training and skills board is also popular
Because we are new we don’t know much about the jobs in Australia.
And the most important, the English, you know that’s why, just trying.
For now we are unemployed and we are students looking
for training just like that.
Most of the notices are connected to people at the Expo where training and courses can
be discussed face-to-face.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Human Services, Senator Kim Carr, was getting
among the people to ensure everything was working as it should.
How are you going? How are you? Good. I’m well thank you. That’s good.
Are you getting much interest? A lot of interest.
That’s always the case. At Burnie both jobseekers and exhibitors
alike felt the Expo was more than worth it.
Really, really good.
I think today is going to be really successful.
We’ve had a lot of people actually come by our stall asking
a lot of different questions as to what we do, what we can offer.
Yeah, no, I’m glad that I came here today.
It’s been really helpful for me by going out there
and seeing how many jobs are actually out there.
And another feature of every expo is the free barbecue,
because looking for work is hungry business.
Come back if you want more. Oh, I’ll be back then.
It’s a place where staff and jobseekers alike can
take a moment to catch up and relax, and the people are always fun.
You’re on candid camera. Oh, are we? Hello!
All expos end with hundreds of people having connected
over employment or training, either available or sought after.
If you have a look in the paper there’s only 20 or 30 jobs,
but you come and look here and there’s hundreds of jobs.
There’s a lot of availability around so it’s really good.
And then it’s time to pack up, to move to another area where
finding work is proving difficult.
And the Department of Human Services team do the whole thing with a good attitude.