The recruitment and training organisation's employees visited everywhere from the CBD to the industrial areas to raise awareness of the need to support employment, skills and education in regional NSW.

The SkillForce 360 campaign in 2018, in which the organisation aimed to engage 360 people across the Central West in employment, education or skills development, became Skillforce 500 last year.

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In the second year of SkillForce 500, Skillset says it is again focusing on developing individuals who contribute to the productivity of the region's businesses and support the future prosperity of communities, especially as businesses power on to economic recovery.

The SkillForce campaign also aims to increase employment opportunities through offering mentoring programs, recruitment services and job pathway programs while also raising awareness of trade careers in schools.

Since the launch of SkillForce 500 last month, Skillset says it has engaged and placed more than 100 people so far across the Central West and Far West Orana regions, with the goal of reaching 500 placements by March 31, 2021.

Skillset general manager Jane McWilliam said the aim in sending staff out across the city was to generate "meaningful and purposeful conversations with individuals, businesses and our communities to spread awareness during deeply challenging times that there are still opportunities and areas to strive and succeed".

With the Australian Government's announcement of the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencement Wage Subsidy to support employers and group training organisations to take on new apprentices and trainees, Ms McWilliam said it was a positive time for businesses to get on board and support skills growth in their communities, especially through apprenticeship and traineeship programs.