Workforce Australia - Illawarra South Coast Skills Taskforce

 

The Local Jobs Program runs to 30 June 2027 in 51 employment regions throughout Australia, including the Illawarra South Coast. It brings together expertise, resources and access to funding at the local level to focus on reskilling, upskilling and employment pathways for people in each region.  New Illawarra South Coast Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce We’ve recently worked through a review of Illawarra South Coast Local Jobs and Skills Taskforce membership as part of a wider process of adjustment to the Illawarra South Coast Local Jobs Program, and we’re pleased to introduce the 2025-2026 Taskforce members:   Matthew Clarke (Yilabara) – representing Indigenous jobseekers and employment service providers. Corin Hodgson (APM) – representing Workforce Australia/employment service providers and the Shoalhaven. Coralie McCarthy (Business Illawarra) – representing the business sector/employers and the Illawarra. Bianca Perry (i3Net) – representing the manufacturing, defence and clean energy sector. Nicky Sloan (Community Industry Group) – representing the care sector and the Illawarra. Leanne Smith (NSW DPIRD) – representing economic development agencies and the NSW Government, as well as the Illawarra-Shoalhaven. Rhonnie South (Eurobodalla Shire Council) – representing the youth cohort and the Eurobodalla. Selena Stevens (RDAIS) – representing RDAIS, employers and the Illawarra-Shoalhaven. Andrew Wales (Local Jobs Program) – Chair, and also representing the Work Transit Alliance and Wingecarribee. John Watkin (Bega Chamber of Commerce and Industry) – representing the hospitality and small Business sector, the migrant cohort and the Bega Valley.   This refreshed Taskforce will play a key leadership role in setting priorities, guiding projects, and ensuring our work continues to align with the employment and skills needs of the region.   Why the refresh? As the labour market evolves, so too must our strategies. This new Taskforce brings together sector leaders and key influencers to provide focused input, strengthen collaboration, and help drive initiatives that deliver real employment outcomes across the Illawarra South Coast region.   Next steps for the Taskforce: The next Taskforce meeting will be a one-off in-person strategy session on Thursday, 21 August in Kiama, for Taskforce members only. This meeting will focus on reviewing and resetting priorities and programs for the next 1–2 years.   Following this, the next wider Taskforce meeting, open to all stakeholders, will be held in November. We’ll share full details of the updated Taskforce meeting schedule in a separate message.   We look forward to continuing to build strong partnerships and to deliver initiatives that connect jobseekers to opportunities and address workforce needs across our region.   If you have any questions or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. TOP ROW (L-R): Matthew Clarke, Corin Hodgson, Coralie McCarthy, Bianca Perry, Nicky Sloan BOTTOM ROW (L-R): Leanne Smith, Rhonnie South, Selena Stevens, Andrew Wales, John Watkin