Turner: Take 'big picture' look at jobs
United Future social services spokeswoman Judy Turner today welcomed Steve Maharey's open mind to her suggestion that
Winz look at the way it classifies vacancies through its 'Job Bank'.
Currently, jobs are classified by location, meaning a builder's labourer in Gisborne will only see vacancies he could
fill in his area, and would not be aware that there are perhaps three positions to be filled in Timaru.
"Really, United Future is pushing for a broader look at matching people with jobs, and not just saying 'well, you're
here, so you wouldn't possibly be interested in a job 200 kilometres away'.
"It was good to see the Minister for Social Development and Employment take the idea on board when I put it to him in
Parliament today," Mrs Turner said.
"There has got be some lateral thinking on issues of employment and social welfare."
Mrs Turner also stated in Parliament that greater attention has to be paid to matching training with areas facing
substantial skills shortages.