South West employers to hire more inclusively as regional vacancies at an all-time high

South West businesses are being urged to establish a more inclusive hiring practice when filling longstanding job vacancies. Despite the current national unemployment rate being at a 48-year low, according to ABS data, the Regional Australia Institute’s job vacancy data showed that there were more than 84,400 job vacancies across regional Australia in April 2022. Following the start of the new Workforce Australia service in the region last month, employment agency Max Solutions is ramping up to better help connect regional businesses with eager potential employees. MS general manager Sam Brown said the new model will help expand employment opportunities. “MAX has been providing employment services across the South West region for a number of years now — we’ve helped thousands of job seekers find employment across many different industries,” she said. “We are pleased that this new employment service model will allow us to reach more people in the region and give every person every chance.” The company’s research indicates that there are more than 1600 people seeking work opportunities within the region, with 21 per cent of people in their case load data from an Indigenous background, indicating the need for variations to traditional job positions. “More can be to be done to assist the regional community when it comes to finding work,” Ms Brown said. “We want to empower the local employers with tips and recommendations to encourage the hiring of more people from diverse backgrounds. “The enhanced services will . . . allow for a more holistic case management approach so providers will be more empowered to help those with difficult circumstances find meaningful work, and we are encouraging local employers to create more inclusive roles is just the beginning.”