Prime Minister announces 700 new jobs as part of the Jobs 1001 campaign

Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced today that Toll plans to employ 700 new workers nationally as part of the Jobs1001 Campaign. Many of these positions will be Apprenticeship and Traineeship vacancies.

Jobs 1001 is one of Australia’s largest community inspired employment drives in the nation’s history. Interest in the jobs campaign has been overwhelming; WPC Groups Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Wyman said “In the first 4 weeks, we have had over 1200 new jobs created and over 5,000 job seekers sign on. As well as 700 articles published at community level.

CEO of WPC Group Nicholas Wyman says “the highlight of the campaign has been that many small businesses have offered full time opportunities to entry level workers. ‘These jobs are being created in not only metropolitan areas but also country and regional areas.  Large employers have also signed on with Nissan Motor Co announcing a mentored apprentice technician program and sales cadet program which also created 400 jobs, Employers should take a long range view, offer entry level positions and train people up to meet specific needs”.

Mercedes-Benz Win’s Victorian Employer Award for Apprentice Development

Mercedes Benz  in partnership with WPC Group was awarded at the Victorian Training Awards the Victorian Employer Award for Apprentice Development. The award was presented by the Victorian Skills Commission and Skills Victoria. The Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall congratulated all winners in their achievements at the glittering ceremony at Crown Palladium “Much of Victoria’s competitive advantage comes from its highly skilled workforce and high quality industrial sector” said Mr Hall.

From auto open days, an accelerated apprenticeship program and track days at the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Mercedes-Benz Melbourne’s three-phase initiative - Attract, Retain and Develop - is about finding great candidates and holding on to them. This being done with the support of WPC Groups experienced Apprentice Mentors means employers like Mercedes-Benz are not in it alone, they have someone to turn to when the times get tough and in this case someone to celebrate with when awards are won.

Mr Hall said “These awards not only celebrate achievement, they also play a key role in fostering excellence in vocational education and training, which itself leads to amore highly skilled workforce”

The 3 phase initiative in collaboration with the 3 partners Mercedes-Benz, WPC Group and Kangan Institute means that these apprentices are mentored and supported through their entire apprenticeship to ensure a smooth transition to becoming a qualified trades person which in turn makes an impact on the critical skill shortage issue we face today. WPC Group and Mercedes Benz will remain a joined force attempting to stamp out the skills shortage in the automotive industry moving into the future.’

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