New job subsidies

Press, 8 March 1978, Page 1

New job subsidies

PA Wellington The Minister of Labour (Mr Gordon) has announced the introduction of three new programmes to create more jobs in the private sector, and the expansion of the existing scheme for more jobs in the public sector. The new programmes for the private sector are: Skill promotion — to heip employers provide ad-> ditional employment opportunities, making full use of existing forms of training.

leading to recognised qualifications. First jobs — aimed at securing permanent employment for school leavers, reluctant schoolreturners and other people with limited work experience by helping employers to meet the costs of the initial period of employment. Additional jobs — designed to assist employers, particularly in the export and other internationally competitive sectors who wish to expand and in-

crease their work-force. All three programmes give private-sector employers weekly wage subsidies ranging from $2O to $5O for each qualifying vacancy filled through the Department of Labour. The changes to the existing public sector jobcreation programme will mean that from tomorrow the Government will meet the total wage cost incurred by local authorities and community organisations in making work available.