The Turnbull Government has announced the appointment of Mandurah businesswoman Maryanne Baker as special employment facilitator in the region.
Mrs Baker would be be responsible for linking those without jobs to employment opportunities with a focus on supporting workers affected by the downturn in the mining industry.
Canning MP Andrew Hastie welcomed the appointment and said locals could take advantage of the specialists skills and networks Mrs Baker would bring to the position.
“The government’s immediate priority is to ensure local workers affected by the end of Western Australia’s mining and construction boom receive fast, comprehensive support to get back into the workforce as quickly as possible,” he said.
“Michaelia Cash, the employment minister, she’s come to Mandurah quite a lot, she’s spoken to a lot of businesses along Smart Street Mall here and she’s seen the need, and the government has responded.
“I’m really heartened by this and I think it’s a great step forward.”
My first point of call is to make sure I'm meeting all of the stakeholders involved, hearing all the conversations about what challenges we have and making sure we're connecting all the right solutions to the right areas.
- Mandurah Employment Facilitator, Maryanne Baker
Mrs Baker, who is a professional business coach and human resources consultant, said her challenge would be connecting people to the right job opportunities.
“The Commonwealth has recognised we have high levels of unemployment in the region, but there is fantastic work going on,” she said.
“I’m going to come in and make sure that I can connect everyone together, and have conversations with all the job active providers and with employers in the area, network groups and business groups.
“We have to make sure we’re all aware what fantastic opportunities we have and what government facilitated programs there are and make sure job seekers know what's available for them.”
Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash said the government’s funding of the role was a targeted response to help the local workforce overcome the challenges faced in the region.
“I am delighted at Mrs Baker’s appointment as the employment facilitator for the region,” she said.
“She will be able to offer practical help to those impacted by industry changes in the region and will work with local job active providers, employers and training services.”
Mr Hastie said there were signs the economy and Mandurah and the Peel region was improving.
“I think the signs show that things are looking good,” he said.
“We’ve just had $500 million invested in Mandurah alone, at Halls Head Centro, the new Mandurah Forum and of course the Lakelands shopping centre.
“The money is coming to the Peel region because people who have access to the big data know there is growth and we’re going to need jobs to sustain that growth.”
The latest statistics from the Department of Employment show unemployment in Mandurah is down to 8.1 per cent (12 month average to July, 2017), while youth unemployment still languishes at 15.9 per cent for the same period.
For more information on contacting Mrs Baker go to the Department of Employment’s website at www.employment.gov.au/employment-facilitators.
Nathan Hondros
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Senior Journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
