Gerald Lynch
Jobs Victoria’s program has been given a shakeup, as it looks to focus on areas with the greatest need.
Hume is one of five council areas officially offering a local mentors program to assist people who have found it difficult to get work.
Whittlesea residents can access the service via the Whittlesea Community Connections (WCC) as well, through its partnership with Jobs Victoria.
More than 500 people throughout Hume and Whittlesea have registered for the program with the WCC.
WCC chief executive Alex Haynes said the mentoring program has provided many job seekers with the skills required to find and keep a job.
She said the program being non-compulsory means that the people that do attend really want to better themselves.
“We meet people, try to understand what their history has been and why they’re facing barriers, what they’ve tried, and what types of jobs their current skills might suit,” he said.
“We help them make their resume, practise interviewing, and might help them get to their interview as we often see people with transport challenges.
“We might be able to buy them workwear, top up their myki card, provide them with driving lessons, whatever they need.”
The program not only helps to provide employment opportunities, but also keeps up with participants for their first six months of work, to ensure they’re able to work well with their bosses and colleagues, and any other challenges they may face.
“That’s why the program is so important,” Ms Haynes continued. “It’s hard going for people that don’t have the skills or are coming out of a situation that meant they couldn’t work.
“It’s all about understanding somebody and where they’re at, and find a job they’ll stick with.”
In Melbourne’s north, the majority of jobs that the WCC helps to facilitate are manufacturing and retail jobs.
Across the state, the program is working with more than 4000 individuals, as part of a $35 million state government investment in targeted employment services.
