The Local Jobs Program (LJP) was part of the response to the economic impacts of COVID 19, implemented in 25 Employment Regions from September 2020 to June 2022, and thereafter expanded to all 51 Employment Regions. This evaluation of the program assessed its appropriateness and effectiveness at meeting the program objectives in the initial 25 Employment Regions. 

The LJP is a collaborative initiative bringing together expertise and resources to develop employment solutions at a local level. A key focus of the program is to support the more effective local delivery of employment services, achieved by leveraging existing programs and resources, reducing duplication and providing opportunities for local collaboration. Funding has been provided for local initiatives to fill gaps in local servicing to help job seekers into work or training opportunities aligned with local needs.  

The evaluation took a mixed methods approach using a range of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, including a literature review, document reviews, semi-structured interviews, analysis of program monitoring data and surveys. 

Key findings

• Overall, each of the elements of the LJP model (Employment Facilitators, Jobs and Skills Taskforce, Local Jobs Plan and Local Recovery Fund) have been implemented as intended.
•  There is evidence the LJP has contributed to positive outcomes and is on the path towards achieving a greater range of outcomes in the future, although the extent and types of outcomes observed have varied significantly between regions.
• A large majority of stakeholders value the LJP model and believe that the program can make a positive contribution to local employment priorities. 
• The evaluation identified the most important factors that appear to enable higher order outcomes in each Employment Region, including Employment Facilitators’ experience, skills and networks, a highly engaged and active Taskforce, and the local conditions of each region.

The evaluation report includes a departmental response.