The Gillard Government will invest $15.7 million to continue two successful programs that have connected thousands of Australians to jobs.

 Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten and Employment Participation Minister Kate Ellis said this year’s Budget would ensure the great work of 20 Local Employment Coordinators based in Priority Employment Areas across Australia continues.

 The funding will also ensure another 10 Jobs and Skills Expos will be held across the country in the next financial year.

 Mr Shorten said today’s investment built on Labor’s strong record on job creation and job matching since coming to government.

 “Today’s announcement is another practical step to ensure even more Australians reap the rewards of work.”

 “Labor’s Local Employment Coordinators are a great success story of this Government. These individuals work tirelessly with workers, unions and businesses, large and small to deliver local solutions to local labour market problems.”

 “The Gillard Government believes workers and their families are committed to the success of their employers right across the nation and we are determined to maximise employment and training opportunities for working Australians.”

 “The tailored employment support of Local Employment Coordinators will continue in 2013-14 thanks to the funding in this Budget.”

 Ms Ellis said the Government’s Jobs and Skills Expos have been highly effective, with more than 26,800 people connected with employment and training opportunities in less than four years.

 “These Expos gather job seekers and employers with vacancies at one venue to match people to suitable employment and training opportunities,” she said.

 “Their success is self-evident - Almost 30,000 jobseekers walking in looking for a job and walking out having found one.”

 Mr Shorten said continued initiatives such as Local Employment Coordinators and Jobs and Skills Expos were crucial in the current economic conditions.

 “Our strong economy continues to create jobs as we adapt to the Asian Century and Australia’s Clean Energy Future,” Minister Shorten said.

 “These jobs of the future will require Australians to be more skilled and more agile than ever before. Only Labor can deliver the skills, training and employment support Australians need for the 21^st Century.”