More than 50 additional people in the Far North will receive tailored employment assistance for jobs in priority areas through an expansion of the Skills for Jobs in Regions program.

Skills Minister Grace Portolesi said the highly successful regional program will deliver projects in the Far North to support disadvantaged jobseekers to get a job in their local area.

“People in the region who have completed a Skills for All qualification in the past six months, will be invited to participate in the projects if they are seeking employment,” she said.

“Across the State, funding of $5 million, or an extra $1.67 million per year for three years, will be provided for 24 new projects in four key regions Northern Adelaide, Southern Adelaide, Western Adelaide and the Upper Spencer Gulf, (Far North, Whyalla and Southern Flinders).

“Developed with local employers, Skills for Jobs Regional Networks and the new regional Industry Leaders Groups, the projects will provide people with a combination of employability skills, case management, mentoring and career guidance as well as skills training that is specific to the needs of employers.

“Skills for Jobs in Regions supports the State Government’s Jobs and Skills Policy, a $120 million package to create more job opportunities and skill the State’s workforce to meet the immediate and emerging growth challenges facing South Australia,” she said.

Funded projects in the Far North include:
• Dieri Aboriginal Group – Land Management – The Dieri Aboriginal Corporation has
employment opportunities in land management based on arrangements with mining
operations at Moomba and Beach Petroleum. This project will provide mentor support,
tickets and licences, and a Certificate II in Rural Operations (funded through Skills for
All) to link Aboriginal people to jobs.

• Construction and Heavy Industry Pathways – this project will support jobseekers into
construction and heavy industry pathways. Participants will receive hands on accredited
training units and personal development skills so they are job-ready. Training will be fulltime to ensure participants become accustomed to the expectations of full-time
employment.

• Pika Wiya Aboriginal Health Worker Project – Pika Wiya Aboriginal Health Services
are expanding their social and emotional wellbeing program to support clients to better
manage their mental health needs and connect to support through the broader
community. The project will train jobseekers in Certificate III Aboriginal/Torres Strait
Islander Primary Health Care, mental health, child safe environment training and senior
first aid.