Skillset in conjunction with Lithgow City Council have launched a new National Careers Institute program, CareerLink.

Federal Member for Calare and Minister for Decentralisation and Regional Education the Hon Andrew Gee MP has urged young people to jump on the Skillset CareerLink website to book an appointment.

The careers counselling will be available across 11 local government areas locally including Lithgow, Oberon, Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.

"We know young people in the workplace have been particularly impacted by COVID, with many employed in hospitality and tourism," Mr Gee said.

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"I'm delighted to be launching these services across our electorate; it's a strong show of support for young people in that age bracket trying to rebuild their skills and career prospects."

Mr Gee said the program allows residents to come and talk to someone and get individual help and assistance.

"The service is also here to match local employers looking to fill skills gaps and direct young people to where there may be skills shortages.

"There are certain segments of our economy that are crying out for labour and this is a service that is likely to be incredibly valuable in terms of connecting young people with local work opportunities," he said.

"This is a big program stretching across many local areas and I congratulate Skillset on securing this funding and rolling out the program. I think it will make a real difference to the lives of many young people in our region."

Skillset CareerLink - Central West will be a free career development service that will be delivered through three main service deliveries:

Over the two year program, Skillset will endeavour to engage over 9,000 people across the Central West to support them in the next stages of their career planning.

Lithgow City Council are excited to welcome a new program to the regional area and support the prosperity and the skills of local people in the region.

Deputy Mayor Wayne McAndrew said Lithgow Council was highly supportive of this exciting new project.

"Skillset is to be congratulated for their initiative and foresight, Council is looking forward to partnering with Skillset as they continue to rollout their CareerLink, Career Development Services in Lithgow and Central West," he said.

Skillset CEO Craig Randazzo said that this program would close the gap for local residents in accessing local and relevant career advice.

"We believe Skillset CareerLink Central West will create an immediate impact as we know there is a service-gap for in-person career services for our primary target group of 25 - 44 year olds where they have been unable to access free, career services leaving a prime working-age cohort with no support to navigate their own career journey," Mr Randazzo said.

"This program will close that gap and become a key service for local residents to access career guidance."

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