Most people recognise and accept the major challenge for all levels of government in the months ahead will be to stem the flow of job losses by judiciously supporting ‘at risk’ segments of the community, however the less obvious opportunity, to identify entirely new positions that can be filled immediately, should not be overlooked.
Having said that, clearly these new positions must be real in the sense that they will ultimately lead to on-going sustainable work and they are not to be seen as pure acts of generosity to organisations who are seeking to make a profit from their operations.
It is well known that the small business sector provides the bulk of jobs in our economy but historically most government employment assistance programs are targeted at the perceived less risky larger organisations who, as we all know, are the ones currently laying off the most staff.
The number of people employed by large organisations has in fact been steadily decreasing over many years and despairingly (but understandably in present conditions) the share market rewards each announced reduction in staff numbers or layoffs by bumping up share prices, thus adding to the downward impetus.
To inject much needed assistance into the struggling and largely unsupported small business sector will require a paradigm shift in government thinking. What’s more, an array of new ideas and fresh criteria will have to be embraced by our leaders and policy makers to make it actually happen.
Based on personal experience the incentives required may involve a total subsidy of direct labour costs for up to two years. Now, while that time frame may sound excessive, one must acknowledge the cost of employing additional staff involves many other indirect labour ‘add-ons’ not to mention numerous related factors such as office and desk space, insurance, vehicles, phones, training, PCs and special software etc.
The fact is that it involves a considerable amount of effort and goodwill on the part of management to take on any extra staff in the middle of a recession and providing the prospects for on-going employment in an industry that has been identified as either emerging or green are reasonable, the federal and state governments should carefully consider such opportunities on their individual merits.
At a time when all employers are looking for ways to reduce their operating costs the decision to add any expense, no matter how little, is often avoided.
To facilitate this initiative it is suggested that bodies such as our local business chamber or labour council should start a register which lists all complying companies prepared to take on staff, the type and number of jobs involved and the actual amount of grant required to create each individual job.
To their credit both federal and state governments have been seeking input from the wider electorate and interested parties, and it is suggested this proposal could become an integral part of a locally based ‘jobs initiative’.
Given our governments have been actively seeking ideas, this initiative should be seen positively as a concrete example of what locals can do to help themselves and present the relevant bodies with a well considered and politically acceptable way forward that can be triggered without delay.
We live in an era of unprecedented challenges and the time has come for concrete action by all levels of the community. The publishers of this e-magazine pledge to actively support any local organisations who wish to establish or help create a ‘Jobs Register’.
To discuss or just show your interest please contact me: andrewc@youronlinecommunity.com.au | 
