New government portal for NSW jobseekers

This week, the NSW government launched a new online service, Careers NSW, aimed at getting people into work faster by providing them with free employment guidance and career advice. It's supposed to "supercharge" the state's economic recovery, according to premier Dominic Perrottet; between government investments to attract international businesses, and the infrastructure boom that continued through the pandemic, he was optimistic about the prospects for the job market in a statement on Wednesday.

“Careers NSW will supercharge our pandemic recovery by ensuring every jobseeker in NSW has online access to career advice regardless of their experience or education, so they can take advantage of the jobs of the future,” he declared.

The Careers NSW portal includes a self-service website of the kind standard to most job boards, with links to various resources and tools. More importantly, though, it offers access to human advice. It lets jobseekers make appointments with upskilling advisors, industry experts, and career advisors - for free. More than 40 industry volunteers from six different industries - construction, disability and aged care services, energy and utilities, hospitality, tourism and recreation, information technology, and manufacturing - are available for consultations.

RIght now, the service is offered in a pilot across Western Sydney, South Western Sydney, the Mid North Coast and the state’s North West. It's expected to cater to around 10,000 people. In 2022, it will be scaled up to cover the entire state.

“The Careers NSW service will make lifelong career information accessible for all people seeking to upgrade skills or change careers and guide them to the industries offering employment and opportunities,” said Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee.

Careers NSW originated from a review of the NSW vocational education and training sector which was released in March this year. Led by UNSW chancellor David Gonski and Western Sydney University chancellor Professor Peter Shergold AC, the review included the development of a careers service, especially for students, as a key recommendation.