Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib today welcomed the release of a discussion paper by the Industry Reference Group on Employment Services Purchasing.

Senator Arbib said the Government had established the reference group last year to provide advice on stakeholder views and arrangements for purchasing employment services to help job seekers find work, and to help employers find workers.

“Australia needs employment services which meet two of the nation’s key challenges - to prepare for and position Australia for the recovery from the global recession, and to respond to the skills shortages which are slowing the growth of our industries,” Senator Arbib said.

“This discussion paper seeks the views of the employment services industry and other stakeholders on the arrangements for the mid term performance review and business reallocation for Job Services Australia.

“It also seeks initial views about how the Government should purchase employment services when current Job Services Australia service provider contracts finish in June 2012.

Senator Arbib has appointed the Secretary of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Lisa Paul, to chair the Industry Reference Group.

The group includes experts and representatives from organisations including the National Employment Services Association, Jobs Australia, the Australian Services Union, the Australian Council of Social Services and the National Welfare Rights Network.

Comments or feedback on the discussion paper are welcome by March 17, 2010 to be considered by the Industry Reference Group which will report on the mid term business reallocation by March 31. Comments can be submitted in writing to espurchasing@deewr.gov.au.  

The discussion paper will be the basis for public consultation sessions in each capital city this February and March. Information on consultation sessions is available at www.workplace.gov.au/espurchasing.

Media Contact:

media@deewr.gov.au

Non-media queries: 1300 363 079 

 Melbourne’s Consultation Session is

Date:  Monday 1 March

Venue:  Jasper Hotel, 489 Elizabeth St Melbourne

Time: 2pm