As we commence on the road to recovery from COVID-19, it is critically important we continue to support Tasmanians who have lost their jobs and to ensure businesses can access the skilled workers they need.

To enable this, the government has invested an additional $6.3 million to help upskill those who have lost their jobs and created a skills-matching service to connect job ready workers with industries and businesses.

Since it began in March, more than 330 Tasmanians have sought a hand up through the rapid response initiative, which provides $3000 for individuals to gain skills or licences to help them into a new role and receive career advice.

While many Tasmanians and businesses are facing challenges due to COVID-19, it is encouraging to see individuals and businesses engaging with support available to assist them through these tough times.

This week I heard first-hand from a young Tasmanian who sadly lost his hospitality job in March when the restrictions were introduced. He has accessed the $3,000 rapid response grant and is using the funds to undertake a first aid course and contribute towards a new career in the real estate industry. This young person has also engaged with the Government’s skills matching service, and I hope he will soon be connected with a business looking to employ.

A total of 130 Tasmanians have been referred to the Skills Matching Service since it too began in March. Our service provider, Searson Buck, continues to work through registrations already received from both displaced individuals and hiring businesses as fast as possible.

Alongside the Government, they are working to find new roles for those made redundant in current high-demand areas sectors including in building and construction, engineering, aged care and disability sectors.

We know that COVID-19 has presented extremely challenging circumstances for all Tasmanians. The Tasmanian Government is committed to sensibly balancing a reboot and rebuild of our economy, while mitigating the risk of a second wave of coronavirus infections.

We are remaining focused on getting out society back to normal, and most importantly supporting the thousands of Tasmanians who have lost their jobs back to work.

The Government is also working through TasTAFE to support redundant and unemployed Tasmanians re-entre the workforce through the “SKILL UP for your future’ training program.

The training enables Tasmanians to quickly upskill, reskill or gain new skills, and ready to enter into employment or change careers once the economy starts to recover from COVID-19. The topics covered include customer service, business computing, career planning, writing job applications, as well as building confidence in areas such a maths, digital literacy and employability skills.

We recognise that there is more to do and I hope to see the number of Tasmanians connected to our services and supports available increase.

Individuals who want help back in to work are encouraged to apply through skills.tas.gov.au and businesses with roles to fill should contact www.searsonbuck.com.au.