IT'S an epic task - getting 360 unemployed Fraser Coast youths into work in just five months.

But it's a challenge that Epic Employment Service is undertaking.

Three months into Project 360 and already more than 140 jobseekers have found gainful employment as part of the new initiative being rolled out across the Fraser Coast.

According to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last month, unemployment across Wide Bay sits at 9.6%, the highest since September 2013.

This comes as Fraser Coast industries such as tourism and agriculture which are typically known to attract young workers, are tipped to have the lowest employment growth of all the region's industries over the next six years.

Employment advisor Matt Clark of Epic says Project 360 began internally and was specifically designed to encourage staff to address unemployment on the Fraser Coast

"It is an initiative we came up with here on the Fraser Coast, we are the only one of Epic's 54 Australian branches to be doing it," he said.

"Our initial aim was a 10% increase overall but already we have hit a 20% increase from this same time period last year."

As part of the project, local businesses and job seekers alike are getting involved.

Owner of Anderson's Carpet Hervey Bay, Bernie Coppens has recently taken on employees as part of the project and says it is a practical way for businesses to help the community while at the same time finding the right person for the job.

"I'm extremely happy with the people we've been able to get through Epic," he said.

Unemployment rates

• March -9.6%
• February - 8.3%
• January -8.6%
• December - 8.8%