Bryce Eishold
An NDIS call centre opened in Newborough yesterday will provide employment opportunities for people living with a disability, its operator says.
People living in the Latrobe Valley will also have first-hand access to the jobs under the state government’s plan to lower the unemployment rate and provide more jobs in the region.
The call centre received funding from the state government’s Latrobe Valley Economic Facilitation Fund and is expected to create about 100 jobs for people in Serco’s Ollerton Avenue centre.
Serco director of digital and transformation Peter Neale said at least 15 per cent of the company’s Newborough workforce structure would consist of people living with a disability such as a vision impairment.
“The jobs will be representative of the community we are servicing here and it’s an important public service we’ll be delivering,” Mr Neale said.
“We are aiming to establish a workforce here that will have over 15 per cent of people living with disability and diverse backgrounds.
“It’s clear that the government has a strong vision for regional development and that makes it easier for organisations like ours to invest in job creation.”
Commercial-in-confidence restrictions prevented the release of costs of the investment, however, Industry and Employment Minister Ben Carroll said it was a vote of confidence to have “a global leader” investing in the Latrobe Valley.
He said the government’s economic facilitation fund had secured almost 1000 jobs following Hazelwood Power Station’s closure.
“We are very committed to making sure we spend all of that money on this region and this Valley because we know the Latrobe Valley does need support,” Mr Carroll said.
Mr Neal said the facility would start recruiting in the next few months.
