Interview - AM Howarth on ABC Brisbane radio
E&OE TRANSCRIPT
REBECCA LEVINGSTON:
I wonder if today you are looking for a job? Today could be your day to get one. There is the job fair happening, close to 3000 jobs waiting ready for you to start. Luke Howarth is the Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services. Luke, good morning.
LUKE HOWARTH:
Good morning, Rebecca. Thanks for having me on this morning.
REBECCA LEVINGSTON:
What kind of jobs?
LUKE HOWARTH:
Well, there’s 2878 jobs to be exact, so there’s a really good chance for people to find a job, but across a whole range of industries – manufacturing, defence, retail, government, construction. So, there’s also, if I pick out a few, there’s 251 apprenticeships and traineeships including bricklaying, so they’re after a couple of brick layers as well – both full time and school based. There’s also retail jobs, so we have the Australian Retailers Association here and they’re after assistant store managers in part time and casual retail roles. There’s food processing as well, a little bit further out that one, that's at Kilcoy Global Foods - they're after process workers, labourers, warehouse packers.
And then there's a lot of jobs in disability care and aged care. So with NDIS and the amount of money that the Australian Government’s putting into that, and the states, there's a lot of jobs helping people with a disability, and that can be very rewarding. So we encourage people to come down to the Jobs Fair today and talk to people here.
REBECCA LEVINGSTON:
Yeah, sounds like a bit windy where you are. Are you standing at the Jobs Fair right now, Luke Howarth?
LUKE HOWARTH:
I’m standing right out the front of the Job’s Fair. It's at the Hope Centre at Rothwell. It’s a good name because we know that if people get jobs there's a lot of hope for their future. But yes, it's a bit windy down here at Rothwell today, but it's the North Brisbane and Moreton Bay Job’s Fair. Everyone is welcome to attend.
REBECCA LEVINGSTON:
How long will exhibitors be on site there? And should people turn up with their resumes this morning?
LUKE HOWARTH:
They should turn up with their resumes. But we'll also have workshops so they- you can bring your resume along, we'll look at it, we can tell you if things need improving. They- we even have a section where they can digitally print out a resume and apply for jobs online here today.
And then we've also got small and family businesses that say: well, when we're hiring this is what we look for, and that will give them a competitive edge when they go for an apprenticeship.
But my main message to people today that are looking for work, or if people are listening and have friends or family looking for work, tell them to come down because people have a lot to offer. And you know, what employers want are people that are happy, great attitude so when they turn up for work they enjoy working and enjoy being there. So one of the best things you can do is be happy, smile and be confident because I'm sure people have a lot to offer.
But the sessions are at 9am – one’s starting now. Next sessions at 11:45 till 2pm. And the last session is at 2.30 to 4:45. So that's at Hope Centre, 18 Buchanan Street, Rothwell.
REBECCA LEVINGSTON:
Okay. It'd be pretty short notice for some people if they're hearing about it for the first time today.
LUKE HOWARTH:
Yeah.
REBECCA LEVINGSTON:
If, like, say we've got someone, a family member who's listening who thinks: yeah, I want to help someone out but they can't get there today, should they still turn up and take some information? I’m just wondering, if you can't get there in person today can you still find out about the jobs?
LUKE HOWARTH:
Absolutely. Absolutely. Turn up today, come on out. You don't need to RSVP, just come to the 11:45 to 2.00, or 2.30 session. So it's open till 4.45pm today.
The Australian Government is running these all around the country. I did one yesterday in Bundaberg. We do have one, I think, in October in Ipswich – COVID permitting. So yeah. But if anyone has any- or needs information, contact my office – Luke Howarth MP, or the Department, the Federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment. All the, all the DESE staff are here willing and waiting to help people today.
REBECCA LEVINGSTON:
How’d you go at Bundaberg? Do you know how many people were actually matched up with a job?
LUKE HOWARTH:
Well, it was pretty good because there was 400 jobs there - not as many - but 400 people come through. So there was enough for everyone to get a job. But there was definitely at least, least a dozen people that I met that got a job on the day. So, others would apply later.
Others found out about training courses that they could do. So, we have a program called JobTrainer through COVID that the Federal Government's funding with the states, and it pretty well gives you free training, or low fee training.
And if you're an employer wanting an apprentice, we also have a Federal Government Scheme called Boosting Apprenticeships, and we're paying half the wages at the moment through this financial year. So it's a great time to hire an apprentice as well.
But we need people that want to work to come on down and grab a job today, because there's so many on offer.
REBECCA LEVINGSTON:
Let's hope that some matches are made. Luke Howarth, really appreciate your time. Thank you.
LUKE HOWARTH:
Thank you very much.
REBECCA LEVINGSTON:
Luke Howarth, the Member for Petrie who's also the Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services. And he is at the Brisbane North Jobs Fair, happening today at the Hope Centre in Buchanan Street, Rothwell. So a couple of sessions.
ENDS