Building education and employment opportunities for North-West Tasmania

The Morrison and Gutwein Governments will provide more than $2 million over five years to Burnie Works to help improve local employment opportunities.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said the Morrison Government was committed to working in partnership with communities to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.

“Burnie Works tackles long-term unemployment through economic and social initiatives to develop aspiration and education pathways,” Minister Ruston said.

“Local solutions led by local leaders are central to breaking down barriers to employment and making a real difference on the ground.”

Federal Member for Braddon Gavin Pearce said everybody in the community should have a pathway to be the very best they can be.

“In a nutshell, Burnie Works is about realising potential, which is something I’m passionate about,” Mr Pearce said.

“Programs like Burnie Works will ensure that everyone in the region is well equipped with the skills they need to maximise the potential of the opportunities ahead of us.

“Although this year has turned many things on their head, the Morrison Government continues to invest heavily in the region. Whether it’s agriculture, clean energy, tourism – plus all the downstream benefits that flow from these industries – there has never been a better time to live on the north-west coast of Tasmania.”

Tasmanian Minister for Human Services Roger Jaensch said investments such as this were vital to unlocking greater opportunities for young Tasmanians.

“Collective impact turns sound theory and policy into real results. It gathers people together to build skills, abilities, networks and capacity,” Minister Jaensch said.

“Burnie Works uses local networking and mentoring. They work with schools to connect VET students to local business and industry, they hold career events into industries such as Battery of the Nation and the Australian Maritime College and they help young people to better understand their future options and build social resilience.

“These initiatives are just a sample of what we can achieve when community pulls together. By building people’s knowledge we harness their strengths so they can build meaningful lives right here at home.”

The partnership is being provided under the Morrison Government’s Stronger Places, Stronger People initiative. The Morrison Government has committed $1.95 million and the Gutwein Government provided $150,000 in funding plus matching in-kind support this financial year.

The Burnie Works Collaboration Agreement was signed on 3 September by the Burnie Local Enabling Group Inc., Burnie City Council, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Department of Communities (TAS) and the University of Tasmania.

Further information on the Stronger Places, Stronger People initiative can be found on the Department of Social Service’s website.