Participants in the Reach, Train, Employ pilot project are supported to re-skill and find paid work in the aged care and disability sectors. Demand for workers is growing in these sectors, with more than 17,000 new jobs expected in Victoria by 2023.
As of March 2020, 19 people had joined the project and started a Financial Capability and Life Coach pre-course, as well as the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability). We’ve also kicked off our first Advisory Committee, made up of local employers within the aged care and disability industry who will support and guide the pilot project.
A second group of participants will be able to join the project from July 2020. Registrations for this second round are now open. The project is open to jobseekers 50 years and older living Brimbank, Melton or Bacchus Marsh.
Participants will be supported to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support – Ageing and Disability. Delivered by RMIT University, the Certificate uses a brand-new curriculum codesigned 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.
In light of the social distancing rules now in place in Victoria, we will be focusing on the online modules to ensure the safety of both project participants and the wider community. Once it is safe, and as the rules allow, we will meet up in face-to-face classrooms and continue on the practical assessments and student placements.
Reach, Train, Employ 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 project, please:
- register by completing the expression of interest form on our website, or
- contact the Reach Train Employ team on mobile 0499 224 000 or via email scarlos@cotavic.org.au
Interested in supporting the project?
If you are an employer and you are keen to find out how to support our project participants, please contact team leader Wennie van Riet on mobile 0499 224 000 or via email wvan_riet@cotavic.org.au.
For more information:
- visit the Reach Train Employ project page, or
- contact the Reach Train Employ team on mobile 0499 224 000 or via email scarlos@cotavic.org.au