Parliamentary Secretary for Employment Jason Clare, Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon, Charlton MP Greg Combet, Shortland MP Jill Hall and Newcastle MP Sharon Grierson have urged jobseekers to attend today’s Maitland’s Keep Australia Working Jobs Expo at the Maitland Showground where more than 700 jobs and apprenticeships will be on offer.

“It’s pretty simple. We are putting local employers with jobs and local people looking for work in the one place.

“It’s like a jobs supermarket.”

More than 70 exhibitors will take part in the Expo – including major local employers and training companies like:

• Novaskill – 60 jobs;
• Drake International – 30 jobs;
• Big W – 10 jobs;
• Commonwealth Bank – 6 jobs; and
• Goodstart Childcare – 4 jobs.

Some of the jobs on offer include apprentice chefs and electricians, childcare assistants, forklift drivers, security guards and hairdressers.

Other employers who will be at the Expo include Mission Australia, Crowne Plaza, ANZ and the ORS Group.

“This Jobs Expo is about maximising job opportunities for the region’s people,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“It is a one-stop jobs shop – bringing together employers with jobs and people who are keen to work.”

Ms Hall said the Jobs Expo would also provide a good opportunity for locals to look for training as well as jobs.

“The Jobs Expo will give locals a chance to find new skills or update existing skills to help them find the right job,” Ms Hall said.

“I encourage all job seekers to come on down to the Jobs Expo. Come and talk to the employers and check-out the huge jobs board with hundreds of jobs,” Ms Grierson said.

The action the Government took last year has kept the economy strong, but there are still regions which are doing it tough. The 21 Jobs Expos held so far have attracted more than 98,000 people and created up to 8,573 jobs.