Regional development service aids progress

The service works with all three levels of government - local, state and federal - to achieve this objective.

It recently added a new service to its already-free comprehensive suite of business and consumer services, as part of a partnership with Skills for Jobs in regions, an initiative of Skills for All.

The free career service is being delivered across the Mid North, Southern Flinders and Yorke regions. The service aims to help people enhance their career opportunities by providing assistance (usually at no cost to the individual) with career planning and training, and the job selection process (resumes, applications and interviews).

The service is particularly keen to link up with people who are out of school, out of work and out of training - and can assist people who are unemployed or underemployed (casual, part-time) or seeking a career change.

Chief executive Kelly-Anne Saffin said the service's objective was to help people to be ready for work and to increase their opportunities to obtain jobs in the region.

"We have become increasingly aware of the challenges regionally based working-age people are facing in gaining and retaining paid work," she said.

"We understand that to maximise the best-possible employment outcomes, a certain set of skills are required and that some individuals need to be supported to secure work or change careers. Our Career Services team offer a personal and confidential approach during that transition."

Career Services practitioner John Carbone said employers appreciated professionally presented, work-ready potential employees.

"With our experience working with employers from diverse business backgrounds, we are well-placed to assist job seekers match their skills to the jobs available," he said.

Service is free to eligible participants and can be sourced by calling FREEcall 1300 068 531 or email cs@yorkeandmidnorth.com.au for an appointment, or visit www.yorkeandmidnorth.com.au for more information.

Other areas the service works in are to attract investment to the region and help businesses secure grants. Two local businesses that secured grants with the assistance of the service are the Australian Milling Group at Bowmans and Pikes Winery at Sevenhill.

"We also developed a business case with the Wakefield Regional Council for the construction of a water pipeline to supply poultry farms, which has been funded by the Commonwealth Government for $10 million," Ms Saffin said.

* Full report in Stock Journal, February 27, 2014 issue.