Hundreds of jobs and training opportunities will be on offer at the Burnie Keep Australia Working Jobs and Skills Expo tomorrow.

Around 40 expos are being held in selected regions around Australia to help local people secure a job or undertake some training to increase their chances of finding employment.

The Minister for Employment Participation, Kate Ellis who will be attending the Expo in Burnie tomorrow encouraged job-seekers, employers and training organisations in the region to take part.

"The expos are like a jobs supermarket - bringing together Local Employment Coordinators, employment service providers, Centrelink, employers and job-seekers," Ms Ellis said.

"This is an excellent opportunity for local job-seekers and people interested in undertaking training to meet a range of employers and training providers in a single location.”

“It is never too late to up-skill, re-skill or engage in the workforce and these expos are helping people in these regions to take the first step.

“All Australians should have the opportunity to share in the nation’s success, and the skills shortages affecting many industries means there’s never been a better time to undertake some training to secure a job.”

The Minister for Human Services, Tanya Plibersek, said that these expos were part of the Gillard Government's commitment to taking action in areas of Australia where there are real challenges for local people in finding jobs.

"I urge local employers to get behind the event and help get local people back in to work."

"The expo will be held at the Burnie Arts and Function Centre between 2 and 7pm, giving locals the chance to meet potential employers, training organisations and industry group representatives."

Member for Braddon, Sid Sidebottom who will be joining Minister Ellis at tomorrow’s Expo said that it  would provide real job opportunities for people in Burnie and the surrounding areas.

“I encourage all local job seekers to come armed with their résumes and take advantage of the unique opportunity to meet with a number of employers in one location,” Mr Sidebottom said.

“I know that there are many people in the greater Burnie area that think that jobs have dried up in the wake of the big factory closures like the paper mill, but things are picking up and there are jobs out there.

“So I would encourage people to come along to the Expo and see what jobs are out there and what might be a good fit for them.”

Jobs and Skills Expos are being held across the country over the next 18 months to provide employment opportunities for areas which continue to do it tough. 

“The Government has held 40 of these expos so far and more than 15 500 Australians were connected with jobs as a result of contacts made at the expos,” Ms Ellis said.

“I’m confident we can get some more great results from the Expo in Burnie tomorrow.”

Burnie is one of 10 communities that will benefit from the Better Futures, Local Solutions program.  Better Futures will make sure that jobless families and teenage parents in Burnie are responsible for developing their skills and that they give their children get the best start in life.

Burnie will also share in the Government’s $25 million Local Solutions Fund, which will draw on community expertise to fund innovative projects that address disadvantage in the area.

For more information visit www.deewr.gov.au/pea