There is an urgent need to support the unemployed with highly trained staff in the employment services sector, according to Senior Lecturer in Education at Charles Sturt University, Dr Keneece Coombe.

Following the announcement this week that the Federal Government will shed 5,000 Centrelink staff, Dr Coombe is concerned the unemployed will not receive the same level of advice and support to effectively place them into jobs.

“The critical issue of unemployment is compounded by the looming crisis in the employment services sector nationally,” Dr Coombe said.

“Now more than ever, we need highly trained professionals with up to date labour market information and a wide range of counselling and advising skills working with the unemployed,” she said.

The University believes there will always be a need for highly trained labour market professionals, and has developed a new course to ensure people working for employment service providers have a sophisticated understanding of labour and human resource management issues.

“Professionals working with the unemployed should be well prepared with the knowledge and skills which are relevant to their needs.

“If we are going to prepare people for employment and lifelong learning, then people working for employment service providers need access to the highest quality information and skills available,” Dr Coombe said.

Dr Coombe said the University’s Graduate Certificate in Employment Services is designed to address these needs. Developed over 12 months working with local providers, members of the profession and the Department of Education Employment Training and Youth Affairs, the course is designed for people working in employment services, job brokerage, jobs pathways programs, juvenile justice and welfare.