Outmoded career information centres to be retrenched

THE government will close 13 Career Centres tasked with helping the jobless and people who are thinking of changing jobs

THE Gillard government will close 13 Career Information Centres tasked with helping students, the unemployed and people who are thinking of changing jobs.

Human Services Minister Kim Carr last night confirmed that from July, they would cease to operate.

"An email was sent to staff in early April," he said. "Although they've played a valuable role in the past, the information they provide is now easily accessible from other sources. People can obtain the same information online using the computer facilities available in all Centrelink service centres or from their Job Services Australia provider," he said.

Staff will be moved to other roles in the department's service centres and there will be no forced redundancies.

Senator Carr said that when Career Information Centres were first introduced in the 1960s -- as Career Reference Centres -- they were resource "hubs" for jobseekers.

The centres provided staff, self-service computers, brochures and noticeboards.

"These days, self-service computer facilities are readily available for customers in all Centrelink service centres across the country," Senator Carr said.

"Other programs, such as Local Connections to Work, and the Australian Government Jobs and Skills Expos are also connecting long-term unemployed with local services and work opportunities," he said.