Jobs 2014 Campaign a Huge Success

The national Jobs 2014 campaign, which aimed to create 2,014 jobs for young Australians within just eight weeks, smashed all its targets.

Launched on 18 June 2014, by WPC Group and News Corp Australia, the Jobs 2014 campaign created 2,394 new jobs, including apprenticeships and traineeships in construction, horticulture, hospitality, and retail.

With youth unemployment the worst it’s been in more than 15 years, at three times the national average ? 16% nationally and more than 30% in some areas (including northwest Melbourne) ? WPC Group knows that the problem needs to be tackled head on. 
That’s where apprenticeships, traineeships, and programs such as Jobs 2014 are so valuable. The skills learnt during an apprenticeship open the door to a rewarding, successful career, and teach young people 
valuable life lessons that a traditional classroom simply cannot. And, according to Skills Australia, young apprentices should have little trouble finding gainful long-term employment at the conclusion of their training; Australia will need 2.4 million new workers with Certificate III level skills by next year, and more than 
5.2 million by 2025 due to projected retirements. Jobs 2014 was the nation’s biggest ever community-inspired employment drive. Aimed at jobseekers between the ages of 18 and 25, as well as employers big and small, the campaign called on companies and businesses throughout Australia to help match young jobseekers 
with jobs. Prime Minister Tony Abbott endorsed the Jobs 2014 campaign, and Woolworths, Australia’s second biggest employer, lent its support, creating an additional 200 jobs for young people. www.jobs2014.com.au