Thursday, 1 September 2022

Ministers statements: Jobs that Matter campaign

Mr PEARSON (Essendon—Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Minister for Government Services, Minister for Housing) (14:12): The Andrews Labor government is delivering more jobs to more Victorians in the sectors that matter most. We know that there are thousands of Victorians out there who have what it takes in the social services sector, and that is why we have launched the Jobs that Matter recruitment campaign and a nation-first jobs guarantee aimed at helping thousands of Victorians kickstart their careers through study and a guaranteed job.

Jobs that Matter aims to address the fact that right now in Victoria there are thousands of jobs available in the social services sector. There are jobs for trainees and new workers, jobs for skilled and experienced practitioners and jobs for people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. These are all the kinds of jobs that make a huge difference in people’s lives. We know that the demand is there, and that is why the Andrews Labor government is investing $39 million in the jobs guarantee program—that is $39 million. That is right: only the Andrews Labor government will make sure there is a guaranteed job in social services for every single person who completes a diploma of community services between September 2022 and August 2024. Our government will create a ready, available pool of qualified candidates that employers can draw from, adding to the over 600 000 jobs that have been created since we came to office. This is in stark contrast to those opposite when they were last in government because they could barely create a fifth of that. If you are thinking about starting a career in social services, if you have a real passion for children and family services, for disability services or for homelessness services, this is your moment. We want you. Get out there, get skilled up with our free TAFE diploma of community services, and when you graduate the Andrews Labor government will back you every step of the way with a guaranteed job.

Ms Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, Deborah would love to have a job in social services, but she is too scared to take one because she cannot—

The SPEAKER: The member for Evelyn will resume her seat. I ask members not to raise frivolous points of order.