As we head into the last quarter of the year, it is a great time to reflect on all that we have achieved in the last few months.
It has been a challenging year for everyone across the board working through a COVID-19 environment. Still, we have done our best to continue to support various sectoral groups across the local industry. These include the furniture, textile clothing, and footwear industry, as well as steel fabricators.
A highlight of the year was signing an MOU between the Office of the Local Jobs First Commissioner (OLFC) and Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).
The VRQA is Victoria’s education and training regulator, working to ensure and support the quality of education and training across the state.
The MOU will enable further collaboration between the two offices and improve development pathways for apprentices and trainees engaged in government projects.
The Local Jobs First Act 2003 grants the Commissioner compliance powers that enable the Commissioner to monitor, review and enforce compliance with the Local Jobs First Policy and related commitments and obligations.
During the year, we have placed a strong emphasis on our audit programs for both strategic and standard projects. The Local Jobs First Commissioner’s 2021–22 Audit Program is developed to significantly increase the audit coverage and will focus on both strategic and standard projects under the Commissioner’s remit.
We continue to work with both agencies and head contractors to ensure they have in-depth understating of their local jobs first commitments and obligations.
The office continues to look for new opportunities to support local industry in government procurement better. We are committed to working together with SMEs across the state to provide ongoing opportunities.
If you have any questions about government procurement, don’t hesitate to contact us here.
