Thurston helps to tackle unemployment

The North Queensland Cowboys, and local business community leaders intend to put on the ‘big hits’ and ‘tackle’ unemployment in the region by putting their weight behind the Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Expo in Townsville on Wednesday at the Townsville RSL Stadium.

Cowboys co-captain and Learn Earn Legend! ambassador Johnathan Thurston said the expo would be a great way for job seekers of all ages to connect with a job or training.

“This Expo provides great opportunities for people to either secure a job or training no matter what your age, no matter what your skills are,” Thurston said.

“As a Cowboys Learn Earn Legend! ambassador I can use my passion for educating all people, particularly young Indigenous kids, into the benefits of education, training and work.

That’s why the Cowboys are getting behind the Expo.

With many local and other businesses, recruitment agencies and training organisations eager to participate in the Expo, local jobseekers stand to benefit from the many various employment and training opportunities that will be on offer.

Townsville Enterprise Limited is one of the key organisations participating at Townsville Jobs and Skills Expo.

Townsville Enterprise Limited General Manager Economic Development, Ross Contarino, said the expo would be a great opportunity for businesses to canvas for staff and Townsville Enterprise is delighted to be supporting such a positive community event.

“Actively promoting local businesses to employ local people in local jobs is a priority for the Townsville Enterprise,” Mr Contarino said.

"Having local people working provides many flow-on effects to the businesses community through consumer spending.

These benefits in turn flow back through employers by them expanding their business and providing more local employment opportunities.

“One of the areas Townsville Enterprise is currently investing its time is within Indigenous recruitment.

“Through our Indigenous Engagement Project we are encouraging local businesses to support the career development of our Aboriginal and Torres Islander tertiary students by increasing opportunities for work experience, mentoring and recruitment.”

Marc Shannon, Local Employment Coordinator for the Townsville Priority Employment Area, said the local business community has rallied behind the Jobs and Skills Expo.

“It’s great to see the local business community and the Government working together through the Jobs and Skills Expos to create real employment and training opportunities for local job seekers,” Mr Shannon said.

“Business as well as education and training organisations such as Townsville City Council, Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE, Bechtel, Adecco, Energy Skills Queensland, Toll People and Queensland Corrective Services to name just a few, have committed to the event to assist job seekers into employment and pathways to training,” Mr Shannon said.

“As well as the many jobs and training opportunities that will be on offer at the Expo, special workshops will be held on site at the Expo for public sector workers recently made redundant. These workshops are designed to help workers find new jobs.

The Australian Government Jobs and Skills Expo will be held on Wednesday, 12 December from 10am until 3pm at the Townsville RSL Stadium, Murray Sporting Complex, Murray Lyons Cres, Annandale.

To be involved as an exhibitor, place a job vacancy or to find out more about the Townsville Jobs and Skills Expo call 13 1158 or go to www.humanservices.gov.au/expos