Premier

Government Helps Jobs Grow In G21 Region

15 September 2017

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting a place-based program to tackle joblessness in the G21 region, which is providing new employment pathways for people out of work.

Launched in March last year, the G21 Region Opportunities for Work (GROW) project now has 60 member organisations that have leveraged 72 jobs and employment pathways for people from the areas of Corio, Norlane, Whittington and Colac.

In Geelong today, Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford and Member for Geelong Christine Couzens met with program participants from Barwon Water and Etheridge Cleaning and Maintenance Services, to hear how they are utilising local procurement and targeted employment to address disadvantage.

Through the GROW program, Barwon Water has made changes to its procurement strategy to provide more opportunities to locally based suppliers. The company has also taken on trainees from GROW target areas with the aim of working towards more full-time employment outcomes.

The GROW project has been developed by Give Where You Live in partnership with the G21 Region Alliance in response to employment challenges facing these locations.

GROW guides the efforts of numerous stakeholders working together to create new jobs and investment opportunities. The project deals with the known correlation between unemployment and disadvantage.

GROW aims to reduce unemployment in the G21 Region’s most disadvantaged areas over the next ten years, using a collective impact approach, and partnering with community groups, business and governments.

The Labor Government has committed $1 million toward the GROW program to tackle joblessness in key locations in the G21 region – Corio, Norlane, Whittington and Colac.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford

“We’re investing in Geelong and supporting jobs creation and economic development. The GROW program is proving to be a success, with 72 people provided with new pathways to employment already.”

“GROW is an innovative community-led response to job creation and local procurement and we’re proud to back this important project”.

Quote attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville

“Barwon water is a major employer in our region and invests significantly in infrastructure development. They have an important leadership and regional development role to play, are key to growing jobs and for economic growth.”

Quote attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens

“This is yet another great example of how the Andrews Labor Government is getting on with creating jobs and supporting our greater Geelong region – giving more locals the opportunities they deserve.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

Was this page helpful?