Synopsis

As a key stakeholder, RDA Tasmania facilitated seed funding for a single project which has expanded into region changing programs.

The Northern Employment and Business Hub shows how early RDA support can deliver a stand-alone project into region changing programs. This project continues to deliver positive outcomes for employment and expanded service offerings across a wide region footprint.

Setting the stage for economic and jobs growth

Bell Bay is Tasmania’s largest industrial zone, located on the Tamar River in Northern Tasmania. It is responsible for more than half (59%) of the state’s manufactured goods exports. The Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone (BBAMZ) is an independent economic development group. Its aim is to lift the profile of Bell Bay locally, nationally and internationally, while building a sense of community pride in the region.

BBAMZ evolved out of Bell Bay Aluminium’s existing community consultative committee. In 2015, with RDA Tasmania’s support, economic development knowledge and experience, the committee re-formed as BBAMZ.

In 2017, BBAMZ was looking at ways to address staff shortages and increase local employment opportunities in the region. However, the entity was ineligible for direct funding. RDA Tasmania stepped in to auspice a $360,000 grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF)1 to employ a Workforce Development Facilitator. This role provided a place-based, personalised outreach service for job seekers and businesses.

Spreading success across northern Tasmania

Now in 2024 the single BBAMZ facilitator role has grown into a standalone entity with multiple employees. It has been ‘rebadged’ as the Northern Employment and Business Hub (NEBHub). The Tasmanian Government now funds NEBHub to continue to match job seekers and industry needs across northern Tasmania.

The funding from the Tasmanian Government helped established the new role of a Youth Workforce Development Facilitator. This role is dedicated to building strong relationships with youth by empowering them through meaningful employment opportunities. The facilitator also helps job seekers to identify and pursue their goals and career pathways by engaging with local employers, arranging site visits and assisting with job applications.

NEBHub has continued to expand its regional footprint and service offerings. The hub now provides outreach services to all communities within the West Tamar, George Town, Launceston, Meander Valley, Flinders Island and Northern Midlands municipalities. This involves regular meetings with businesses in the hospitality and tourism, agriculture, health and aged care, manufacturing and construction industries.

From seed funding to regional success: NEBHub journey

Since its inception, NEBHub has supported 424 people into employment. This work has been across a range of industries, engaging with more than 1,500 employers. NEBHub also facilitates industry responsive training and runs jobs expos to encourage students and job seekers to consider career pathways in local industry.

Since the initial $360,000 TCF grant, facilitated by RDA Tasmania, NEBHub received an additional $2 million commitment from the Tasmanian Government. This funding, received in 2021, enabled NEBHub to further expand its services and become part of the Tasmanian Government’s Regional Jobs Hub. NEBHub has led a project with 8 other hubs to link jobseekers with employers to address high unemployment rates in the regions.

The initial funding through the TCF to establish NEBHub, was only available to BBAMZ through the partnership with RDA Tasmania. With the support of RDA Tasmania as a key regional stakeholder facilitating the seed funding for this project. It continues to grow and deliver outcomes for employment and created an economic hub in Northern Tasmanian. With the injection of extra funding, the hub was able to further expand its service footprint into the surrounding region.

Learn more

• Northern Employment and Business Hub (NEBHub)
• Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone
• RDA Tasmania
• Tasmanian Community Fund

Photos supplied by TCF (Tasmania Community Fund). 
This case study was first published 1/12/2023 and updated 1/8/2024.

1 The Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF) provides grants to not-for-profit organisations for projects benefiting the Tasmanian community.