Jobs and Skills Centre to help students find employment

The Bunbury Jobs and Skills centre was officially opened by Education Minister Sue Ellery on Friday.

The South Regional TAFE student services centre was refurbished to incorporate the new centre to create a service hub for clients with support from Jobs South West.

Ms Ellery said the centre would work with local businesses to identify job opportunities to diversify the region’s economy and allow people to access training that increases their opportunities.

“A key part of our election commitment was to focus on providing assistance for job seekers by creating one-stop shops,” she said.

“We took our time getting the models together – particularly in regional WA – because we wanted them to be bespoke to the areas.

“That meant working closely with the key partners to make sure everyone was happy with what we would provide.”

The centre is one of 13 in the State with eight in regional areas.

During its first months of operation the centre has provided 129 resume assistance services and 48 career guidance services.

Sarah Rogers said she received assistance to create a resume which helped her secure a job as a receptionist at Perkins Builders.

“The centre was very supportive,” she said.

“I’ve been told my resume really stood out so that was important.”

Perkins HR manager Rebecca O’Malley said Ms Rogers was recommended by centre employees.

“Sarah had previously done a traineeship through school and was well prepared,” she said.

“We have a base of trainees and apprentices that we employ so a centre like this is great for us to turn to because they are able to recommend people to help us in that way.”

South Regional TAFE managing director Duncan Anderson said anything that was positive for TAFE and the people who learn and work there was great.

“This is an added extra,” he said.

“If you think of the training as the main meal, what is provided at this centre is that added bit on the side which is the finishing touch.”