Employment scheme success ensures further funding

The success of a scheme helping youth and people who have lost jobs due to COVID-19 into employment has ensured further funding from the Government.

Closing the Gaps has been running for seven months and has already helped 56 people into a job.

Based on this success, the scheme was recently granted a further $500,000 to support people into employment for another 12 months. The majority of the funding will help businesses, which can receive up to $6,500 in support of a placement.

The Gore District Council delivers the scheme in partnership with the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs and the Ministry of Social Development.

Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks said Closing the Gaps has significantly improved the prospects for job seekers and employers alike within the Gore District.

“To be able to continue and build on this success over the next 12 months is good news for our community. I urge employers and jobseekers to get in touch so they can make the most of the opportunities available.”

A jobs board on the project’s new website – www.closingthegaps.nz - allows employers and job seekers to list and check out jobs. They can also contact Closing the Gaps coordinator Mark McCann, phone 209-0330.