An estimated 4,000 full-time jobs could be secured in Tasmania over the next four years if decision
makers embrace the Group Training Australia ‘Jobs Pool’, according to a proposal to be put forward at
the Tasmania Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (TCCI) jobs forum this week.
Group Training Australia Executive Officer, Geoff Fader, said the ‘Jobs Pool’ proposal could turn
around the State’s rapidly rising unemployment rate, which currently stands at 8.1 per cent, by
providing a risk free opportunity for first time employers and small businesses to choose an employee
and have any compliance burden managed externally.
“There are currently 36,000 small and micro enterprises in Tasmania and we estimate around 21,600
are non-employing enterprises. Even if just 20 per cent of these enterprises were provided with a risk
free opportunity, there would be potentially 1,000 new jobs created every year for four years,” Mr Fader
said.
“The ‘Jobs Pool’ removes the red tape and releases the employer from virtually all employment burdens
that currently concern them, including administrative functions, skills training and human resource
management support for both the host employer and the employee.”
Mr Fader said if the proposal was successful the Federal Government would commit $3,500 (the
equivalent of 13 weeks New Start allowance) to the ‘Jobs Pool’ group training organisation for every
person who gained employment through the program, unlocking thousands of jobs across a huge range
of sectors.
“We are currently enabling non employing enterprises to become ‘host employers’ and with the ‘Jobs
Pool’ it gives small business risk free access to employees,” he said.
“The organisation will find the right person and arrange appropriate training and invoices for the
enterprise to pay wages. There is even ongoing mentoring support for both the trainee and the small
business owner – everything is taken care of.
“Most importantly this approach is cost neutral to Government. It is about changing the paradigm from
funding unemployment to supporting new jobs where there is opportunity.
“I doubt there has ever been anything that offers the Tasmanian employment opportunities on this
scale.”
Group Training Australia is the national association representing a network of around 150 group
training organisations located throughout metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia,
including seven not-for-profit organisations in Tasmania.
For more information or to establish a relationship between your business and a ‘Jobs Pool’ group
training organisation please visit www.grouptraining.com.au
Geoff Fader, Group Training Australia
