Authority facilitates Australian jobs for Lae locals

By GLORIA BAUAI
NEARLY 70 persons will be working in Australia by end of this month – thanks to the Lae labour mobility programme.
Lae City Authority (LCA) chief executive officer Robin Calistus said since December, 54 had already secured jobs in various industries in Australia including meat processing, fruit picking and daycare for the elderly.
Last weekend, five more were issued tickets to travel this week and 11 more will join them by the end of the week once their visa documents are finalised.
Calistus said the LCA had budgeted K1 million for the programme which targeted unemployed but skilled workers.
The benefits are the financial impact on families and the increase in foreign exchange return to the country to appreciate the Kina value.
“The medium-term development plan targets one million persons to be employed and MP John Rosso’s contribution is to ensure at least 1,000 persons in Lae secure employment via this programme by 2027,” Calistus said.
“We have already heard good feedback from the first lot sent to Australia.
“If the programme needs more funding this year, we will request through the board and they will give more money after assessing these reports.
“The eligibility is a Grade 10 certificate, being able to read and understand English, be in good health and have no criminal record.” He said Lae was supplying labour to two companies, with their representatives visiting Lae for interviews and recruitment.