Job match coming back to Whangarei

Fast Track Job Match is coming to Whangarei

The second Fast Track Job Match will bring jobseekers face-to-face with prospective employers when it comes back to Whangarei. The event at Toll Stadium will take place on Monday, December 8 and businesses in search of employees are now being asked to jump aboard.

The first event of its kind was held in Whangarei on October 23 and Fast Track Job match co-organiser, Whangarei District Councillor, Cherry Hermon said the trial event had helped place more than 40 people in paid jobs.

Kmart in Okara has taken part in the first event and had employed 27 of the 40 people.

"We want to build on that momentum with another event before Christmas with the aim of getting more people into work by the New Year," Ms Hermon said.

The event is being run by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and WDC and is supported by the mayor's Taskforce for Jobs.

So, how does it work?

Jobseekers, who are registered on the Work and Income database, move from company to company, with one minute to sell themselves as candidates for available positions.

Employers assess them and select the most suitable, following up with MSD work brokers to arrange one-on-one interviews.

"The 'speed job interview' format proved a quick and easy way to match aptitudes and skill sets with vacancies, and the feedback from employers and job seekers was very positive," Mr Hermon said.

"We've refined the model to make it more effective for the second round, and will hold the event over an entire day rather than the half day of the trial event."

MSD's Northland Regional Commissioner, Eru Lyndon, said the inaugural Fast Track Job Match process worked well and was an exciting new approach to Work and Income's focus on finding people jobs.

"We were willing to do things a bit differently and we got people into jobs as a result," he said.

- Employers wanting to take part in the December Fast Track Job Match can register by contacting MSD Community Liaison Advisor, Jodi Hayward, on 09-983 9114 or 029 200 8725, or by emailing Jodi.Hayward001@msd.govt.nz.

They will receive information on the time and format, as well as tips for maximising benefit from the exercise.