By Janine Hill
Finding a job on the Sunshine Coast is not easy, so finding 85 of them is an even tougher ask.
Human Resources firm APM set itself the challenge of placing 85 job seekers in work during its four-week Jump Start campaign on the Sunshine Coast.
Its ready-and-waiting workforce includes the general unemployed as well as potential workers with the added challenge of disabilities.
So far, it is well into its goal.
Among those who have found a job is Matt Salter, 29, who has started work at Sunshine Coast Washers and Fridges.
Owner Greg Jackson said he had been looking for a worker to look after the business's website and carry out other general duties.
"We needed somebody to update our website and somebody who was probably young and interested in that area and Matt filled that void easily," he said.
"He does a great job and has increased sales from the web since he's been employed here."
Matt, 29, has a background as a truck driver and previously ran his own lawn and garden care and exterior house-cleaning business.
But he had been looking for a part-time job while studying civil engineering and sharing custody of his two sons, aged four and one.
Matt has to consider injuries suffered as a result of a serious fall years ago during his work but is more than capable of the tasks at Sunshine Coast Washers and Fridges.
"It's exactly what I wanted: a couple of days a week doing computers and stuff but I get to do other things so I'm not sitting at a desk all day," he said.
APM's Coast job drive is the fifth Jump Start campaign it has run following similar programs in Melbourne, the Coffs coast, the Clarence Valley and Geraldton.
APM Maroochydore consultants have been talking to local employers about their employee needs and post-placement support.
APM Group chief executive officer Michael Hobday said APM's extensive reach was an asset in providing tailored assistance to job seekers all over the country.
To read the story on the Sunshine Coast Daily website, please click here.