DERWENT Valley and Central Highland job seekers and local employers seeking job candidates will soon be able to access the South Central Jobs Tasmania Hub at Brighton.

Last month, $10.6 million was earmarked for four new hubs, based on the successful Sorell South East Hub model. The new hubs will be at Brighton, Huonville, St Helens and Burnie.

A Glenorchy hub was officially opened on Monday.

The funding will support regional employment initiatives already in place and provide a boost for local job creation and placement.

The Brighton-based Jobs Hub will cover the Central Highlands, Derwent Valley, Southern Midlands and Brighton municipal areas where the councils have joined together to form the sub-regional group.

Chair of the sub-regional group and Brighton Council General Manager James Dryburgh said the Jobs Hub would build on the success of the group’s current workforce development project.

“The State Budget funding is recognition of the commitment and success to date of our four councils working together to identify and develop employment opportunities in the region,” Mr Dryburgh said.
“Given the region’s socio-economic profile, there is a significant potential workforce in the region that, because of social and educational disadvantage, has been unable to take advantage of growing employment opportunities.
“As well, employers in existing and emerging industries have often found it difficult to find suitably trained and qualified local employees.
“The four councils are working proactively to lift employment opportunities for people in their municipalities while providing potential employers with suitably trained, employment-ready employees.
“The Jobs Hub will enhance the sub-region’s workforce development project and support the connection between education and training organisations, job seekers, employment providers, the three tiers of government and employers.”

Mr Dryburgh said the workforce development project had enjoyed important initial success and the confirmation of funding and establishment of the Jobs Hub would provide a vital boost.