1000 jobs in 100 days

Work time: Tweed Heads South Nortec accounts manager Marilyne Durant, area manager Steve Moore and recently employed Jenny Reid.

Blainey Woodham

WHEN a terrifying car accident left new Tweed Heads resident Jenny Reid out of work three years ago, she knew re-entering the workforce was not going to be easy.

But less than a week after walking in the doors of Nortec Employment and Training in Tweed Heads South, Ms Reid is back in business with work as a kitchen hand in Burleigh.

“I moved to Tweed to be closer to my family following the accident, but besides that I had no idea what I would be doing,” Ms Reid said.

“I came into Nortec on Monday and by the end of the week I was already in training for my new job. I couldn't have done it without them.”

Ms Reid picked up work as a kitchen hand at Burleigh-based SandBrook Assisted Aged Care facility, part of the McKenzie Aged Care Group.

“The work is excellent and I 'm very happy to be there. They seem pleased with me,” she said.

“Without Nortec's help I couldn't have gone back to the work force.”

Ms Reid landed the job as part of Nortec's pledge to fill 1000 jobs in 100 days between Nambucca and Tweed Heads.

Nortec Tweed Heads South account manager Marilyne Durant said to date the group had filled 407 jobs.

“We've done the 100 jobs in 100 days program over the past eight years or so, but never anything this big,” Ms Durant said.

“The bar has been raised ten-fold this time round.

“It's going to be tough, but we're up to the challenge.”

The campaign began on August 1 and will finish on November 8.

As an extra incentive to local employers who lodge a job vacancy, they will go into the draw to win $1000 for the charity of their choice.

Nortec provides recruitment services for businesses and jobseekers.