Balga Job Link has relocated to Mirrabooka Plaza

17/2/98

Balga Job Link has relocated to Mirrabooka Plaza and is now more accessible to local people who use its services.

Employment and Training Minister Cheryl Edwardes, who opened the new offices of the community-based organisation today, said Balga Job Link was now centrally located near shopping precincts and other State and Commonwealth agencies.

Mrs Edwardes praised the Job Link for providing many successful services to local job seekers over the past 11 years while located at Balga TAFE.

"During that time, Balga Job Link has had a 75 per cent success rate, with the 4,000 people who have used its many services," she said.

"Balga Job Link has a high profile in the community and has developed valuable links with local businesses.

"Job Link provides a focal point for young - and sometimes not so young - job seekers and plays a key role in forming strong local networks."

Mrs Edwardes said the organisation provided a hands-on, practical service to help clients with their education, training or employment needs.

"The centre caters for all local job seekers as well as clients with specific backgrounds such as non-English speakers, Aboriginal people, youth, long-term unemployed, women returning to work, mature age people, sole parents, and people living with mental illness," she said.

Mrs Edwardes said Western Australian job seekers would benefit from almost $4 million worth of State funding to community-based employment assistance projects, such as Balga Job Link, throughout the State.

"These projects provide a stable and reliable service to job seekers, with some 6,000 people being placed in real jobs each year with others going on to training or further education," she said.

The State Government is renewing funding of 47 projects during 1997-98 to assist disadvantaged unemployed people.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote (08) 9421 7777