Job seekers in Victoria’s south west will have the chance to start a new career in conveyancing, thanks to an investment from the Victorian Government to help a Melbourne-based legal firm grow their operations in Portland.
The investment will enable Goodman Group Lawyers to recruit and train 50 new staff to use a new e-commerce platform developed by the firm – expected to create a significant uptick in demand and support ongoing jobs.
The project will have the added benefit of retaining young people in the Portland area with Goodman Group Lawyers identifying a number of entry level roles that would be suitable for Year 12 school leavers with an interest in the paralegal or legal profession.
The firm has committed to delivering extensive training to new staff with roles covering a mix of customer service and conveyancing. Underpinning the expansion will be the delivery of an innovative new e-commerce platform designed to improve the conveyancing experience for the real estate industry.
The coronavirus pandemic prompted the legal firm to bring forward its plans to develop the platform, after the necessary restrictions led to a large number of enquiries from real estate agents seeking to use technology to sign agreements.
The platform is expected to help shift the region’s reliance on the steel and aluminum sectors, along with forestry and other export industries linked to the Port of Portland.
The Victorian Government’s support is being delivered through the Regional Jobs Fund, which considers applications year-round to support businesses to create or keep jobs in regional Victoria.
The Regional Jobs Fund is a key component of the flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, being delivered across the state as part of the record $2.6 billion Delivering for Regional and Rural Victoria Program unveiled in the Victorian Budget 2019/20.
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“The Victorian Government is pleased to support regional Victorian companies with innovative ideas to grow jobs and deliver solutions to industry, just like this one.”
“This particular project also fulfils our mission to give young people opportunities to stay in regional areas by giving them sustainable and attractive career pathways in professional services.”
Quote attributable to Scott Goodman, CEO Principal Lawyer, Goodman Group Lawyers
“Goodman Group Lawyers is a Victorian business proud to support the wonderful people of Portland. The new e-commerce platform is set to revolutionise the real estate industry and provide more jobs in regional Victoria.”
