Almost 1200 regional South Australians – around 7% of the State’s regionally unemployed – have found jobs in the past year thanks to a program designed to support employment and training in regional areas.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Boards across South Australia have assisted 1180 people to gain employment in the past year as part of the Career Services program, funded by the State Government through the Department of State Development.
In doing so, RDAs in South Australia have significantly exceeded the program’s employment target of 723 people by 63%.
As of March 2016 there were 16,500 unemployed people across regional South Australia.
The Career Services program assists the unemployed and underemployed to become job ready, giving them the tools and techniques they need to gain employment.
It supports individuals who may be returning to work, school leavers, part-time workers or those looking for a career change.
The program is delivered through RDAs in South Australia via their Career Development Centres. These centres are located in the State’s key regional areas – the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North, Limestone Coast, Far North, Hills and Fleurieu, Murraylands and Riverland, Barossa and Whyalla and Eyre.
The SA RDA’s qualified career practitioners work with job seekers to help them build their confidence, understand their skill sets and determine their career aspirations.
Job seekers are also supported with a range of practical tools such as assistance with resumes and job applications, interview techniques and identification of funding options for training.
“RDAs in South Australia, through the Career Services program, are helping to support economic growth across regional areas,” Chair of Regional Development SA, the Hon Rob Kerin, said.
“Participants have secured jobs across key regional industries such as horticulture, viticulture, retail and aged care.
“We have strong connections with employers and our staff are adept at building the confidence of job seekers, many of whom underestimate their skills and abilities.
“This enables us to assist both individuals and businesses to attain their employment goals.
“The program is well exceeding its targets. In some areas, eight out of 10 job seekers who walk through our doors gain employment within two months.
“By helping job seekers to overcome barriers to employment and supporting businesses to access a skilled workforce. RDAs in SA are creating better outcomes for regional South Australia.”
South Australia’s overall regional unemployment rate of 7.2% is slightly lower than the Adelaide metro area at 7.5%, however some regional areas are significantly higher including 12.1% in Port Pirie and 9.1% in the Murraylands.
“The small size of South Australia’s labour market means that even a few hundred workers added can have a significant impact,” Mr Kerin said.
“As not-for-profit organisations working on the ground in regional areas, the purpose of RDAs is to create the best possible outcomes for our regions.
“We are taking active steps to ensure that access to a skilled workforce isn’t a barrier to regional economic growth.”
RDA Boards in South Australia are a partnership between the Australian and South Australian Governments and the Local Government Association of South Australia.
In South Australia there are eight RDA Boards covering all areas of the state.