Environmental training program continues in Victoria

More young Victorian job seekers in East Gippsland and Bendigo are on the way to gaining skills to join the growing green and climate-change industries thanks to local 26-week environmental training programs.

National Green Jobs Corps (NGJC) projects were officially launched in Bendigo and East Gippsland last Friday. Operated by Mission Australia, NGJC is being offered in partnership with Landcare in East Gippsland and with Conservation Volunteers Australia in Bendigo.

The Australian Government program, which Mission Australia runs in nine locations throughout Victoria, provides job seekers aged 17 to 24 years with a combination of work experience, skill development and accredited training to equip them for future employment in green and climate-change industries.

In Bendigo, a group of 18 students will work on protecting and enhancing the environment, community and historical features within Central Victorian box ironbark forests on crown land managed by Parks Victoria and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

At the same time, a group of 10 East Gippsland students will work assist Parks Victoria maintain and preserve the heritage building, facilities and park surrounds at Nyerimilang Heritage Park.

As part of a Certificate II in Horticulture (offered in Gippsland) and Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management (Bendigo), the students restore native habitat, construct and install nesting boxes and fencing, learn weed identification and management as well as track maintenance and erosion control techniques.

Anthony Moore, Victorian Regional Manager for Mission Australia, said the teams are looking forward to making a difference to the local environment and picking up skills for the future.

“We’re excited to announce this National Green Jobs Corps project for East
Gippsland and Bendigo,” said Mr Moore. “This is an opportunity for a team of local youths to get hands-on experience in projects that benefit the environment and the local community,” said Mr Moore.


Mission Australia Employment Solutions runs National Green Jobs Corps projects in Victoria. If you're interested in applying to take part in one of these projects, visit www.employmentsolutions.com.au/greenjobs for more information or call (03) 9259 4666.

Above photo: Will McCutcheon, Chief Ranger East Gippsland, Parks Victoria presented NGJC participant Grant Franken with a Statement of Attainment for his work to date. He is well on his way to completing the program and obtaining a Certificate II in Horticulture.

Further reading

• Mission accomplished for Green Jobs Corps graduates
• Frankston Weekly: Towards a greener future
• Archive of Mission Australia 'green corps' news

Media coverage - Frankston Weekly: Towards a greener future

Twenty young people from the Frankston and Cranbourne areas last week started a 26-week environmental training program with the National Green Jobs Corps.

The program offered in partnership with Parks Victoria, Frankston Council and Mission Australia offers people aged 17 to 24 a combination of work experience, skill development and accredited training to give them the skills for future employment in green and climate change industries.

The 10-person Frankston team will be involved in improving the flora and pathways to natural resources along Seaford foreshore, Kananook Creek Reserve, Sweetwater Creek at Frankston South and Outlook Reserve in Frankston.

Activities will include planting, propagating, landscaping, mapping and surveying weed infestation and constructing pathways, signs, shelters, seating and barbecue areas.

The Cranbourne team will work on the expansion and development of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne. This is the first time Frankston Council has been involved in the program.

Above photo: Travis Sandwith and Samantha Marshall, who are starting their training, with Kirra Marks, who graduated from a program at Seaford foreshore last year.

Picture courtesy of Gary Sissons, story courtesy of the Frankston Weekly

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Gold Coast job seekers impress local employers

Fifteen Gold Coast job seekers recently served up a free two-course meal for local employers to showcase a specialised hospitality training course aimed to address skill shortages in the region.

The job seekers, who have undertaken the six-week Certificate II in Hospitality course, have gained skills in front-of-house and back-of-house hospitality operations.

Training was delivered for Mission Australia by Icon Training Academy who saw that the job seekers complete the course with the skills and practical experience necessary to obtain sustainable work in the hospitality industry.
 
In addition to being a course assessment, the two-course meal formed part of the Gold Coast Employer Luncheon event, allowing students to demonstrate their abilities to potential employers.

Over 35 local employers were in attendance, along with Mission Australia Executive Leaders Prins Ralston and Lincoln Hopper, Queensland General Manager Phil Schultz and representatives from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations - who all gave rave reviews on the student's handiwork.

Since then a number of the job seekers have been contacted by employers from the event and have gained full time, sustainable work - two of whom are now working at the prestigious 5-star Marriott Hotel.

Congrats to all the students and training staff for some brilliant results!

Six-week course connects job seekers with hospitality industry

Fourteen job seekers in Pialba, Queensland recently graduated from a specialised training course developed by Mission Australia Employment Solutions and Better Development & Training.

The students, who trained in front-of-house and back-of-house hospitality skills for six weeks, now have the skills and practical experience necessary to obtain full-time jobs in the hospitality industry.

Regional Manager for Mission Australia Employment Solutions Mitch Ryder said he is excited for the students that have graduated.

“All students have shown great dedication and commitment to completing this training course,” Mr Ryder said.

“Mission Australia Employment Solutions aims to assist job seekers source quality jobs through employment assistance and training, and we hope this training course has provided all graduates with the skills and confidence necessary to take the next step into employment.

“As the hospitality and tourism industry is one of the key employers in the region, I’m sure the students will be in a great position to capitalise on their newfound skills and find employment.”

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Mission Australia Employment Solutions national contact phone numbers:

• Mission Australia Employment Solutions - 13 11 24
• Mission Australia Apprenticeship Solutions (Australian Apprenticeships Centres) - 1300 626 227
• Mission Australia Australian Apprenticeships Access Program - 1 300 626 227

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Mission Australia opens its doors to the Woodridge community

Mission Australia will officially launch its new Job Services Australia site in the southern Brisbane suburb of Woodridge today.

The opening, to be officiated by Brett Raguse MP, Federal Member for Forde, will celebrate Mission Australia’s commitment to the jobseekers and employers of Woodridge.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions launched the new Woodridge Job Services Australia (JSA) site on 1 July 2009 as a result of the Federal Government’s new JSA scheme, which focuses on a new approach to employment services - tailoring the services offered to the individual jobseeker.

Since opening its doors, Mission Australia’s JSA Woodridge site has helped dozens of local jobseekers find employment in the region.

Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions General Manager QLD, Phil Schultz, said today’s launch reinforced to the local community the commitment of the staff at the Woodridge JSA site to providing the support and guidance required by jobseekers and employers.

“We’re here to help Woodridge’s community by placing as many jobseekers as possible in the job best suited to them,” Mr Schultz said.

“We can offer jobseekers advice on their career options and our employment programs, as well as help them prepare their resumes, enhance their interview techniques and undertake the skill development or professional training they may need to help find and keep a job.

The Woodridge JSA site has so far helped place numerous jobseekers in suitable employment and currently has more than 450 jobseekers on their books.

“We’ve established strong relationships within the Woodridge community and we’re looking forward to building on these relationships to ensure we help as many willing jobseekers as possible.”