COTA Victoria is leading an innovative project to support jobseekers 50 years and over into paid work.
Participants in the Reach, Train, Employ project are supported to re-skill and find paid work. The project focuses on training for employment in the growing aged care and disability sectors, which will have more than 17,000 new jobs to fill in Victoria by 2023.
So far, 19 people have joined the Reach, Train, Employ program. They are completing a Financial Capability and Life Coach pre-course, as well as starting their Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability). We have also held the first meeting of our Advisory Committee, made up of local employers within the aged care and disability industry who will help support and guide the pilot project.
From June 2020, the program will welcome a second intake, made up of jobseekers who are 50 years and older and living in Brimbank, Melton or Bacchus Marsh. Information sessions for this group will run in mid-May 2020 in Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Caroline Springs, and Sunshine.
Participants will be supported to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support – Ageing and Disability (CHC33015). Delivered by RMIT University, the Certificate uses a brand new curriculum co-designed by industry experts and people with lived experience. Participants benefit from extensive support including access to a Life Coach from Good Shepherd Australia and New Zealand (GSANZ); employment assistance such as resume writing, interview techniques and understanding the employment market; IT and digital literacy support; financial counselling; and employment placement support.
The project is delivered by COTA Victoria in partnership with the Future Social Services Institute (FSSI) at RMIT University and GSANZ. It’s supported by the Try, Test and Learn Fund, an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Interested in joining?
If you are a jobseeker and are interested in joining the program, please register and attend one of our upcoming information sessions:
- Register here for Monday 11 May 2020, 1 pm–3.30 pm
Caroline Springs Library, Caroline Springs. - Register here for Thursday 14 May 2020, 10 am–12.30 pm
Lerderderg Library, Bacchus Marsh. - Register here for Wednesday 20 May 2020, 10 am–12.30 pm
Melton Library, Melton. - Register here for Thursday 21 May 2020, 1 pm–3.30 pm
Visy Cares Hub, Sunshine.
Interested in supporting the program?
If you are an employer and you are keen to find out how to support our program participants, please contact Team Leader, Wennie van Riet, on mobile 0499 224 000 or via email on wvan_riet@cotavic.org.au.
For more details about the program visit the project webpage or contact Wennie van Riet at COTA Victoria on mobile 0499 224 000 or via email wvan_riet@cotavic.org.au.