Julalikari Council wins new jobs contract

Starting on May 1, there will be a new way of helping unemployed people get jobs. It is called Job Network; a national network of over 300 private, community and government organisations focussed on finding jobs for the unemployed.
Julalikari Council has secured for the Barkly region a contract as a Job Network member to provide employment and training services.
In the Northern Territory there are 10 Job Network members in 16 different locations. After May 1, the SkillShare offices in Tennant Creek and Borroloola will be replaced with the new 'Job Place'. Communities such as Robinson River (Mungoorbada), Ngukurr (Yugulmanji), Hodgson Downs (Menyirri) and others will also have access to Job Network.
Julalikari Council's contract allows it to offer two main services. Firstly, 'Job Matching' which involves canvassing employers for job vacancies and matching eligible job seekers. One of the strengths of the new Job Network will be in the use of a national computer hook-up which will provide both employers and the unemployed with the greatest number of options.
The second provision is that of 'Intensive Assistance'. Unemployed people often suffer from a lack of self esteem and confidence which makes it hard to find or hold down a job. They may need counselling, personal development or training in literacy, numeracy or language skills.
Programs will be individually tailored to help long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged job seekers and place them in jobs.
The gateway to Job Network will be Centrelink. It is the place to go to register for work, get unemployment benefits or other assistance. The Centrelink office will refer unemployed people to the closest Job Network service in the area.
Job Place, our own provider here in the Barkly will be totally committed to providing the best possible service to employers and job seekers.
The Federal Government has introduced the new system to overcome what it saw as failings in the old system whereby the CES did its best but was in no way responsible or accountable for the actual outcome. The Government felt that people were receiving 'training for training's sake' with little regard for their individual needs and with no job at the end.
According to Job Place manager Michele Bailey, Job Network will be of great benefit to the Barkly region with its high level of unemployment.
"The CES was always restricted in the scope of its operations by the remoteness of the region. Now that there are more game players linked together by a data base, it will become much easier to find the appropriate jobs."
"It is good for the Barkly too, that a local organisation won an employment provider contract. Organisations like Julalikari have a clear picture of the people's need and are well placed to provide appropriate assistance with both employment and training."