“If exponential growth has an address, it may well be 7 Mirrabooka Avenue,” says Rhonnie South.
Ms South leads the team at The Job Shop in Moruya and predicts 2025 will be the Eurobodalla Council employment initiative’s biggest year yet, with a huge jump in demand from job seekers and job providers alike. She says with smart systems, solid teamwork and a clear-eyed commitment to community they are ready for the challenge.
“It’s still just Amy (Kovacs) and Karen (McLellan) out front, but we’ve got the right systems and processes in place and plenty of experience now. We can handle the growth,” Ms South says.
And growth there is. In the first quarter of this year the Job Shop welcomed and supported 173 clients, compared to 121 for the same period last year – a 43 percent increase. Of those, 106 were new clients and 50 were aged under 25, reflecting the team’s commitment to Eurobodalla’s young people.
“We know that entering the workforce can be make-or-break. By making these first experiences positive and setting it up right we really help shape their attitude to working life,” Ms South says.
It’s not just job seekers taking notice — employers are increasingly on board too, with nineteen businesses looking for help so far this year, drawn-in by the Job Shop’s unique local advantage.
“What we’re hearing from employers is that they trust the candidates we’re connecting them with,” says Rhonnie.
“They’re local, they’re prepared, and they’re ready to work, and that’s something you don’t always get from the big agencies.”
The numbers speak for themselves with the Job Shop sharing 1,037 job opportunities in the first quarter of 2025, helping 75 people move into paid employment. In April alone, 285 jobs were listed in the Job Shop’s weekly jobs email sent to 1,700 subscribers – and growing – and reposted on Facebook with 125 direct messages in response.
The Job Shop is part of Council’s Employment Revolution program. Developed with the simple aim of connecting locals with meaningful job opportunities it has evolved into a local movement backed by smart strategies, real results and a lot of heart.
