THE HON BILL SHORTEN MP
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation
THE HON JULIE COLLINS MP
Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development
THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Indigenous Health
Member for Lingiari
MEDIA RELEASE
23 May 2013
Smarter service for NT jobseekers to help them into work and strengthen their communities
More people in remote areas of the Northern Territory will be helped to get jobs and contribute to their communities thanks to the Gillard Government’s new $1.5 billion Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP), which starts on 1 July 2013.
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten today announced the providers chosen to deliver RJCP in seven regions across the Territory’s Top End.
“The Gillard Government believes that everyone who can work should work, and those who are not working should be participating in meaningful activities that contribute to their community,” Minister Shorten said.
“But we recognise that jobseekers in remote areas, many of whom are Indigenous Australians, face extra challenges in finding work. We also know that employers in remote locations often have trouble finding skilled workers.”
“These RJCP providers will help ensure local people in communities including Wadeye, Humpty Doo, Maningrida, Gunbalanya and Beswick are ready to take up local jobs.
“They will support individuals who are not working to participate in training or activities that will contribute to their communities as well as making them more work-ready.”
The providers to deliver RJCP in the seven Northern Territory regions are:
| Remote Region | Provider |
| Central Arnhem | Roper Gulf Shire Council |
| Wadeye | Thamarrurr Development Corporation Limited with Deewin Kirim Aboriginal Corporation as a subcontractor |
| Darwin Daly | Jobfind Centres Australia Pty Ltd with Darwin Regional Indigenous Advancement and CDEP Inc, and Nauiyu Nambiyu Inc as subcontractors |
| West Arnhem | Jobfind Centres Australia Pty Ltd with Warnbi Aboriginal Corporation as a subcontractor |
| Maningrida | Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation |
| Milingimbi/Ramingining | The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation with Industry Services Training Ltd as a subcontractor |
| Groote | Groote Eylandt Bickerton Island Enterprises (GEBIE) Jobshop |
Providers for 13 RJCP regions in the Northern Territory were announced earlier this month, with the remainder to be announced shortly.
Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Julie Collins said the Gillard Government had undertaken a competitive, open and fair process to find suitable RJCP providers across remote Australia.
"We are taking four jobs services functions and putting them into one,” Minister Collins said.
“Under RJCP, job seekers including those on Community Development and Employment Project wages, will be able to go to just one provider to get the personalised support they need.”
“Employers will benefit from this personal approach as well, with their local provider being able to find the skilled workers they are looking for.”
Federal Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon said RJCP providers will also be working closely with communities in their region to set out priorities and goals for participation, training, employment and long-term development.
“The program is based on community and involvement. It will encourage and promote collaborative, community-driven approaches to employment and participation activities.”
“Giving people, including Aboriginal people better access to training and jobs is a great step towards building their confidence, providing opportunities to their families and strengthening their communities,” Minister Snowdon said.
Minister Collins said a review of remote employment and participation services in 2011 and subsequent extensive consultations identified what was and wasn’t working in remote communities.
The Government is committed to minimising disruption for job seekers, communities and employers during the transition period.
Information about RJCP is available at www.deewr.gov.au/rjcp
Media Contacts -
Mr Shorten: Sam Casey 0421 697 660
Ms Collins: Judith Ion 0434 169 037
Mr Snowdon: Marcus Butler 0417 917 796
