Rugby heroes to join MA staff at Brisbane Winter Sleepout

Queensland Reds and Wallabies players Radike Samo and twins Saia and Anthony Faingaa will tonight join a group of Mission Australia staff from the Brisbane South Employment Solutions team sleeping rough to raise money for our homeless services.

Mission Australia’s Elia Tuqiri said staff taking part in the Sleepout at Citipoint Church are aiming to raise up to $10,000 to help people experiencing homelessness.

“In my job I meet a lot of people who are desperately looking for work as they are at risk of losing their home, or worse, are already homeless,” Elia said.

“In many cases, it’s not just individuals who are homeless, but families with young children without a stable home. Many are couch-surfing at friends’ places or sleeping in their car, because they haven’t got a place of their own. In the toughest cases they are sleeping rough in our community.

“I often think of myself as very lucky to have stable full time employment and the ability to pay my rent, have food on the table and a safe place to shower and sleep.

“Sometimes we take these things for granted – and that is why we have organised this Winter Sleepout to build awareness and raise important funding for Mission Australia’s homeless services.”

Former Reds player, Charlie Fetoai will also share how he turned his life around after suffering a serious spinal injury that brought his Rugby Union career to an end.

Charlie now works as a Mission Australia Indigenous Employment program mentor, helping young Indigenous men and women to overcome challenges in their own lives and get the training and support they need to find work.

“When I suffered a serious spinal injury on the field, I went from the highest point in my life – doing what I loved, playing professional rugby – to the lowest point, where I was terrified I might not walk again,” Charlie said.

“It was through self belief, staying positive and the support of my family, friends and team mates that I was able to recover and walk again. The experience completely changed my outlook on life, and has motivated me to help others who are struggling with barriers in their lives that are holding them back.

“The Winter Sleepout is a great cause, aimed at helping people out there who are struggling with circumstances hard for any of us to imagine – and that is why I am pleased to be a part of this event.”

There will be performances by school and dance groups from 6:30pm and the players will be signing autographs from 6pm.

Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, more than 30 staff from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions offices and the crew from Southport Rotaract Club offices will brave the winter tonight to raise money for the homeless.

Good luck to all everyone camping out tonight for Winter Sleepout to help us reach our $250,000 fundraising target. To find out more about Winter Sleepout or to make a donation, visit: www.wintersleepout.com.au

Thanks to our City2Surfers for going the distance
Huge thanks to the 150 people who ran, walked and even skipped the 14km in last weekend’s Sun-Herald City2Surf in support of Mission Australia. There was a blur of red and white singlets in almost every category of the event, from the speedy runners to the walkers.

A few even ran the whole distance in their PJs, in support of our Winter Sleepout. Along the way hundreds of well-wishers, including Senator Mark Arbib and NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, offered their support.

Of all our fundraising supporters, first-time City2Surfer Sook Smith outdid herself, raising over $9,000 for our services and sitting at number eight in the overall top ten individual fundraiser ladder for the event.

She joined Mission Australia staff, supporters and members of Team MA, made up of clients of our homeless services, at a post-race barbecue in North Bondi.

All those weeks of training with the Sydney Roosters paid off for Team MA, with all members crossing the finishing line. Among them was Wayne Richards, who has taken part in every City2Surf since 1974.

In the lead-up to the City2Surf, Wayne attended every training session with players Ethan Lowe, Cheyse Blair, Lama Tasi and Boyd Cordner.

Thanks to Wayne, his team mates, all our fundraisers and their supporters for playing your part in this fabulous community event. Your efforts have raised a much-needed $20,000 for Mission Australia’s support services.

Government Media Release: 70 jobs in Warwick region Indigenous Employment project

Up to 70 Indigenous jobseekers from Warwick, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, St George and Dirranbandi will be part of an employment project thanks to the Australian Government’s Indigenous Employment Program.

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib said the Warwick Employment Service Area Industry project, delivered by Mission Australia, showed a commitment to boosting the skills of jobseekers so they could find meaningful employment in the local area.

“The project comprises pre-vocational training, industry-specific training, job placement and post-placement support for the participants and employers,” Senator Arbib said.

“Mission Australia will assess each participant and work with them to draw up an individual action plan outlining the steps the participants needs to take to move into a job. Once employed, participants will receive ongoing assistance for the first six months.

“Some of the key industries in the Warwick Region include transport and logistics, retail, wholesale, horticulture and primary production, food processing, aged care, hospitality and government.

“Industry-specific training will be given to participants based on what skills local employers have identified they need.

“This training can include things like licences and tickets for transport vehicles, forklift and machinery operation or short courses in retail, business administration or hospitality.

“The important thing with this project is that we are showing our commitment to getting Indigenous Australians skilled and employed in a meaningful way, not just providing training for training’s sake.”

Senator Arbib said the project was a result of more than $675,000 from the Indigenous Employment Program and would employ two mentors and a project coordinator with Mission Australia.

“This project follows on from the success of a 2009 Mission Australian Indigenous Employment Project in St George, which saw more than 97 per cent of project participants placed into employment,” Senator Arbib said.

“Thanks to this partnership we are able to continue to build job and training opportunities in regional and remote Queensland for Indigenous Australians.”

Senator Arbib said Treasury predicted 500,000 jobs would be created over the next two years and it was critical that Indigenous Australians had the support and training they needed to take up employment.

“Indigenous employment is not a short-term issue. Over the next four years the Australian Government has committed almost $650 million to the Indigenous Employment Program and $50 million to the Indigenous Youth Careers Pathway Program,” Senator Arbib said.

“This is part of the Australian Government’s target to create more than 100,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018.”

This media release was issued by Senator Mark Arbib on 17 August 2011

Jymbilung House Community Care named Champion Employer 2011

A small community aged care organisation in Beaudesert, Queensland, has taken out top gong at Australia’s leading employment awards in Brisbane last night.

Having been nominated by Mission Australia, Jymbilung House Community Care was named Champion Employer of the Year at the National Employment Services Association’s awards, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to providing positive employment opportunities for disadvantaged job seekers.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions Business Manager Robert Kennard said this was great recognition of the important partnership between Mission Australia and Jymbilung, which had led to the placement of more than 40 job seekers over the past 11 years.

“Jymbilung has been one of our most valued partners, and that is why we nominated them for this prestigious national award,” Mr Kennard said.

“Here at Mission Australia, we are delighted to see one of our best local employers being recognised on the national stage for their significant efforts to provide job opportunities for people struggling with unemployment.

“In area where the unemployment rate is higher than the national average, at 6.5 per cent, the efforts of Jymbilung to provide employment opportunities for local job seekers are particularly important. They are helping to make a real difference in the local community.

“In particular, Jymbilung has made a significant contribution to addressing Indigenous unemployment, with the majority of the placements we have achieved at this organisation having been for Indigenous job seekers.

“Jymbilung have always shown remarkable perseverance and patience in working with our job seekers to overcome barriers to employment, and provide training opportunities that will allow employees to gain accredited qualifications in Aged Care, First Aid and Occupational Health and Safety.

“This is a huge coup for a local organisation and for our staff at Mission Australia who have worked so closely with Jymbilung for over a decade.

“Aged care is a challenging industry, but Jymbilung provides its staff with excellent support, ongoing training and great working conditions. That’s why we are always so pleased when we are able to link a job seeker with a position in this organisation.”

Established in 1994, Jymbilung House is a home and community care initiative, set up to assist frail aged, younger people with disabilities and their carers to stay in their own homes longer and enjoy a better quality of life.

Proudly sponsored by Mununjali Housing, Jymbilung originally was funded for the Indigenous population of Beaudesert Shire, however the program services now both Indigenous and mainstream clients.

The winners were announced at the NESA’s gala awards dinner at The Sofitel Hotel in Brisbane last night.

Pictured (from left): Mission Australia Service Manager Anne Humphreys; Mission Australia Employment Solutions Queensland General Manager Phil Shultz; Jymbilung Centre Manager Matthew Moore; Jymbilung Operations Manager Paula Jakavicius, and Employment Solutions Beaudesert Sales Representative Shelly Currie.

Media Release: Launch and graduation for young environment trainees in Shepparton

Local youths will graduate from an exciting Mission Australia environmental training program and the launch of the final stage of the project will take place on Friday 29 July 2011.

Mission Australia’s National Green Jobs Corps (NGJC) project – a 26 week environmental training program offered in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia – offers young people a combination of work experience, skill development and accredited training to equip them with the skills necessary for future employment in green and climate change industries.

During the project, the group of graduates from the Shepparton region have undertaken real work experience activities such as tree planting, propagation, weed control and stabilisation of embankments in newly created wetlands.

The launch of Shepparton Wetlands rejuvenation project will be the last of its kind for the region. Participants will be undertaking real work experience activities including reclamation and redevelopment of the old land fill site at the end of Kialla Tip Road.

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

“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.

Date: Friday 29 July 2011
Time: 12:30 pm
Where: On site – Marquee At the end of Kialla Tip Road

Interview and photo opportunities:

• Anthony Moore, Victoria Regional Manager, Mission Australia
• Tracee Vassallo, National Green Jobs Corps Business Manager, Mission Australia 
• National Green Jobs Corps graduates and their families

Media contact:

• Rachael Nightingale on (03) 9600 0006 0449 881 980 or rachael@fenton.com.au
• Justin Watts on (03) 9600 0006 or justin@fenton.com.au

Brighter days ahead for Shane and his kids

We wanted to share this story about a Caloundra dad who is turning his life around with the help of Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions.

Our Caloundra Employment Solutions team is helping the single father of three to avoid possible eviction and move into stable employment.

Shane was facing homelessness when he approached Mission Australia Employment Solutions 18 months ago. After being unemployed for some time, he was struggling to support his children and suffered from depression, anxiety and stress.

With the help of local ES Assessor Julie Conlan, Shane is transforming his life:

"When I came to Employment Solutions I was able to do little more than pay rent, school fees and electricity bills,” Shane told The Caloundra Weekly. “I was near breaking point.

"Julie helped me identify what I wanted to achieve in terms of employment, and then helped me acquire my HR (Heavy Rigid) truck license, with all lessons and costs paid by Mission Australia."

Mission Australia has also assisted Shane to gain his excavator ticket, and Julie is confident he is close to securing steady employment.

“There are now opportunities out there for him. He is still moving forward and staying positive, which is so important,” said Julie.

“I love being able to work with clients like Shane, to see them overcome barriers, build confidence and them transform their lives.”

With over 30 years’ experience, Mission Australia Employment Solutions helps job seekers find quality jobs that match their capabilities and long-term goals, through employment assistance and training.

Giving back to great employers
The gift of employment is perhaps the greatest gift that an employer can give. Employment makes a tremendous difference to a person’s life, and helps them to engage with the community in which they live.

To celebrate businesses that give unemployed people a “fair go” Mission Australia Employment Solutions’ is hosting its inaugural 2011 Employer Awards.

These awards strive to recognise employers who are willing to overlook and help overcome the challenges which job seekers face, and help make a real difference in their lives.

Employers can be nominated by completing a nomination form and returning it to your local Mission Australia Employment Solutions site. To learn more and apply, click here

Government Media Release: Minister Calls on Local Government to strengthen Indigenous Employment

Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development Mark Arbib today opened the National Roundtable on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment in Local Government and urged representatives to employ more Indigenous people.

Representatives of local government organisations from around Australia gathered for the two-day roundtable at Redfern Town Hall to discuss how they could contribute to closing the gap on Indigenous employment.

“The Gillard Government is committed to working in partnership with local governments which are well placed to employ Indigenous Australians, especially in remote and regional areas,” Senator Arbib said.

“This roundtable, convened by the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government, is a great way to share ideas and plan partnerships to increase recruitment and retention of Indigenous workers.

“The Centre of Excellence has identified that local councils are facing a crisis in long-term workforce planning due to an ageing workforce and the drain of skills from the regions which has been compounded by demand from the mining boom.

“The solution is right in front of us – investment in local Indigenous communities and individuals who can provide those skills in the long term.”

Senator Arbib announced in April new funding of $4.8 million over three years to support mentoring programs for Indigenous Shire Council employees working in the Northern Territory and urged councils to become involved with school-based traineeships in their communities.

“The Government has also committed $50.7 million to provide 6400 school-based traineeships for year 11 and 12 students. The program provides assistance to young Indigenous Australians as they move from school to work,” Senator Arbib said.

“Local Councils can take advantage of the program and work with school-based trainees in their area. In addition, Councils can use Government programs and services, such as Job Services Australia, to provide job-readiness training, literacy and numeracy skills and ongoing mentoring for their Indigenous employees.

“There are also a raft of programs available to assist local governments in employing and retaining Iocal Indigenous job seekers, as part of the Government’s goal of creating more than 100,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians by 2018.

“The Government is committed to working with all levels of Government, the corporate and community sectors and Indigenous communities and people to reach the target and close the gap on Indigenous employment.”

Media Contact: media@deewr.gov.au
Non-media queries: 1300 363 079

Media Release: Launch and graduation for young environment trainees in Gippsland

Local youths will graduate from an exciting Mission Australia environmental training program and the launch of the final stage of the project will take place on Friday, 22 July 2011.

Mission Australia’s National Green Jobs Corps (NGJC) project – a 26-week environmental training program offered in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia – offers young people a combination of work experience, skill development and accredited training to equip them with the skills necessary for future employment in green and climate change industries.

During the project, the group of graduates from the Gippsland region have undertaken real work experience activities at Nyerimilang Heritage Park assisting to maintain the heritage buildings, re-planting to create corridors for habitat and improving biodiversity on a broad scale.

The launch of Stage 4 of the Greening East Gippsland program will be the last of its kind run in the region. Students will establish native gardens, collect and propagate seeds, identify and control environmental weeds, reduce fire hazards to protect the habitat and more.

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

“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.

Date: Friday, 22nd July 2011
Time: 10am to 11am
Where: Conference Room 68 Macleod Street Bairnsdale

Interview and photo opportunities:

• Karen Jones, Mission Australia Business Manager from East Gippsland
• National Green Jobs Corps graduates and their families

Media contact:

• Rachael Nightingale on (03) 9600 0006 0449 881 980 or rachael@fenton.com.au
• Justin Watts on (03) 9600 0006 or justin@fenton.com.au

New awards recognise excellent employers

Mission Australia Employment Solutions’ Employer Awards are a celebration of the support given by Australian employers in giving people a ‘fair go’.

Employment makes a tremendous difference to a person’s life, and helps them to engage with the community in which they live.

Some people face challenges, both large and small, on their journey towards gaining sustainable work. The Employer Awards strive to recognise employers who are willing to overlook and help overcome the challenges that job seekers face, and help make a real difference in their lives.

By recognising the support that local employers give in hiring unemployed job seekers, Mission Australia Employment Solutions hopes to reduce negative perceptions of unemployed people that may exist within local communities.

Award recipients will benefit from the status of being recognised as an employer that transforms the lives of local unemployed people and gives back to the local community.

Employers can be nominated by completing a printed nomination form (available at your local Mission Australia Employment Solutions site) or by completing our online form.

Nominations opened 1 July 2011, with entries closing on 30 September 2011.

Who can enter?

The Employer Awards are open to all local employers of participating Mission Australia Employment Solutions sites who have used our services within the past 12 months.

Employers will be judged based on their contribution to helping unemployed people find work.

Local presentations of 2011 awards will take place in October 2011. Local winners will qualify for entry into the national awards and will be invited to a national awards dinner that will be held in November 2011.

More information

If you’d like to find out more about the Mission Australia Employment Solutions Employer Awards, please visit the 2011 Mission Australia Employment Solutions Employer Awards page.

Mission Australia opens new Dareton office

Fifty representatives from local government, business and juvenile justice and health services yesterday joined Mission Australia Community Services staff in celebrating the opening of our new office in Dareton, far western New South Wales.

The new Neilpo Street office will serve as a base for our Brighter Futures and Youth Connections programs, which in recent years have operated in the area on an outreach basis from Broken Hill.

Chelsea Hodge, Acting Services Manager Far Western Community Services, said the new Mission Australia office would provide much-needed support to local young people and families and strengthen community capacity and engagement in the region.

“Local people in the Wentworth Shire deserve full-time support,” she said. “We are lucky to have one of our current Support Workers, Amanda Ferguson, moving from Broken Hill to the Dareton area. Mandy has previously worked in the Broken Hill Brighter Futures team, so she will be an asset to the community.”

The Brighter Futures (Early Intervention) Program is a voluntary targeted program designed for families encountering problems that impact on their ability to care for their children. The program provides families with the necessary support and services to help prevent an escalation of the problems.

Amanda will be joined by a full-time Youth Connections Support Worker in August. Youth Connections supports young people aged from 12 to 19 who are at risk of disengaging, or have who have disengaged, from education, and helped them find alternative means to learn and overcome barriers.

Government Media Release: More traineeships in Bellambi for people with disability

Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care, Kate Ellis and Federal Member for Cunningham Sharon Bird, today announced funding of $600 000 from the Innovation Fund program for Mission Australia’s Feather Weight project.

This project will train and employ up to 11 job seekers with disability in recycling services, giving them the support they need to achieve accredited training in Certificate II in waste management.

The job seekers will receive training though a soon to be established social enterprise Feather Weight, which will manufacture punching bags and protective sports equipment, including tackle bags, hit shields and goal post pads.

“For people with disability, the benefits of work extend far beyond a mere pay packet. A good job brings with it dignity, purpose and a sense of connectedness to the community,” Ms Ellis said.

“The Feather Weight project will provide the critical support and assistance that unemployed people with a physical disability or mental illness need to be able to enter the labour market.”

This project will also have an environmental benefit, as job seekers will be working to reduce waste material such as car seats, from the automotive industry by an estimated 1 020 000 tonnes, which would otherwise be sent to landfill.

The project will give job seekers the opportunity to gain paid work experience combined with on-the-job training, peer support, group learning and personal support services, all as part of an integrated service delivery model.

Ms Bird said that the project will benefit not only job seekers with disability but the broader Bellambi community through the establishment of a viable self sustaining social enterprise.

“The Government is also providing funding so that the participants are supported once they complete their training and can successfully transition to the open labour market,” Ms Bird said.

“I believe that we can do better than a lifetime spent on income support for residents in Bellambi who are living with disability but have the capacity and the will to work.”

“That is why we are also making it easier for people on disability pensions to get and keep a job and providing employers with incentives to hire people with disability through the 2011-12 Budget.”

Senator McLucas said that “increasing access to employment opportunities is an important part of the National Disability Strategy.”

“Mission Australia’s Feather Weight project will provide valuable work and training opportunities for local people with disability.”

The National Disability Strategy sets a ten-year reform plan that will help to ensure that people with disability have the same opportunities as other Australians. Developed through the Council of Australian Governments, the Strategy is the first time in Australia’s history that all governments have committed to a unified, national approach to improving the lives of people with disability, their families and carers.

The Feather Weight project is one of 12 Innovation Fund projects targeting assistance to job seekers with disability, valued at approximately $2.9 million.

The $41 million Innovation Fund also contributes to the achievement of the Australian Government’s Social Inclusion Agenda, which includes supporting innovative strategies to help disadvantaged job seekers find and retain employment.

For more information on the Innovation Fund visit:  deewr.gov.au/innovationfund

Media Contact:  media@deewr.gov.au

Non-media queries:  1300 363 079

This media release originally issued on the 29 June 2011 by the Hon Kate Ellis MP MP, Senator the Hon Jan McLucas and Ms Sharon Bird MP

Shoalhaven job seekers star in video resumes

More than100 job seekers from Mission Australia’s Nowra and Ulladulla Employment Solutions offices have been given the opportunity to promote themselves to businesses using online video resumes.

This DEEWR-approved program is being piloted by Mission Australia in Nowra, NSW, with the potential to be picked up by all Job Service Australia providers.

The digital resumes – provided by Meetseeker – go way beyond the traditional print resume by including a video profile of the job seeker. The result is a resume that conveys the individual’s personality and gives potential employers the flexibility to view and review applicants at their own convenience.

Over the course of three days last week, staff at Mission Australia Employment Solutions Nowra trained job seekers on video presentation and helped them with their hair and make-up before supporting them through the recording process. In addition to the 100 job seekers from Nowra, 10 Ulladulla residents travelled to the office to create personal video profiles.

Once the profiles were loaded onto Meetseeker by our employment advisors, our sales support staff sent the new links to potential employers. Employment Solutions has already received positive feedback from local business, with two job seekers already gaining interviews based on their video resumes.

“This businessperson absolutely loved the concept of Meetseekers because they could hear how the candidate spoke and see how they presented straight away,” said Sharon Webster, JobSeeker Solutions Manager.

Gavin Carboni of Meetseekers also had praise for the way our Employment Solutions staff supported job seekers: “They team did an amazing job empowering the job seekers to believe in themselves enough to record the videos,” Mr Carboni said. “It was overwhelmingly fantastic to work with them and a real pleasure to see the job seekers enjoy themselves.”

Last Thursday’s program launch attracted local media, including WIN TV, who recorded this news item at Youtube.

The South Coast register also reported on the new initiative.

Queensland Reds tackle Indigenous youth unemployment with Mission Australia

Mission Australia is thrilled to announce an innovative 18-month partnership with the Queensland Reds, which will see the two organisations work together to tackle Indigenous unemployment in south Brisbane.

The Indigenous Employment Project (IEP) will see Mission Australia Employment Solutions and Queensland Reds work with 35 Indigenous youths from south Brisbane to create positive long-term educational and employment benefits.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the initiative is an Australian-first, and one Mission Australia is hoping can be rolled out throughout the country in the coming years.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions General Manager for Queensland Phil Schultz said the participants are looking forward to starting the project.

“We have 25 Indigenous youths eager to meet with the Queensland Reds and start working towards long-term employment,” Mr Schultz said.

“In south Brisbane alone, Mission Australia has over 200 Indigenous people registered as active job seekers. We see the IEP as a step in the right direction towards tackling Indigenous youth unemployment.”

As part of the IEP, participants will learn about motivation, goal-setting, employer expectations, nutrition, fitness, healthy lifestyles and career planning through ongoing contact with Mission Australia and the Queensland Reds.

Queensland Reds players will act as mentors for the participants over the 18 month project – and will be available weekly to offer guidance, support and motivation.

Queensland Reds Hooker Saia Faingaa said he was looking forward to working with the youths involved in the project.

“I know I speak for a lot of the boys when I say that I’m really excited to be able to work as a mentor and confidant to these indigenous youths,” Saia said.

“We’re keen to show the participants that there are opportunities out there for indigenous youths, and that there are organisations out there such as Mission Australia who have the programs in place to assist them with their education and employment goals.”

Government Media Release: New report highlights Australian job opportunities

The Australian Jobs 2011 report was released today, highlighting opportunities and encouraging all Australians to participate in the workforce in Australia’s current strong economy.

Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care, Kate Ellis, released the 2011 edition of the annual publication at the Local Employment Coordinators Conference in Canberra.

“It is essential that job seekers, students and employment service providers have access to up-to-date information about what the opportunities are and where the jobs are now, and where opportunities and new jobs are likely to arise in the next five years,” Ms Ellis said.

“The Australian Jobs report is a key resource in helping job seekers to find employment opportunities in our nation’s dynamic job market, and for employment service providers to plan for the future.”

Australian Jobs, prepared by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, provides key information about Australian employment figures, helping job seekers and employment service providers alike.

This year’s report focuses on regional labour markets and contains useful information about occupations and industries and about state and territory labour markets.

“Australia’s economy is strong. More than 265 000 new jobs have been created over the past year and the national unemployment rate is 4.9 per cent,” Ms Ellis said.

“The Australian economy needs more skilled workers if we are going to successfully take advantage of the minerals boom and manage the challenges of our ageing population.”

“This presents a great opportunity for Australians who have previously had difficulty gaining employment to find and to keep a job.”

Australian Jobs supports the Australian Government’s focus on developing a highly skilled and educated workforce to meet Australia’s future needs, by highlighting the link between higher levels of education and training and better labour market outcomes such as lower unemployment and higher pay.

The report highlights that 4.1 million Australians are employed in regional areas, with regional employers experiencing particular difficulty recruiting skilled workers.

Ms Ellis said that this means there are sound opportunities for employment outside state capital cities.

“Improving labour market outcomes – putting more people into more jobs – benefits individuals, their families and communities but also the whole Australian economy,” Ms Ellis said.

“The 2011-12 Budget lays out a strong plan to make the most of current economic circumstances and get more Australians into work.”

“This report shows us that there are jobs available and that there has rarely been a better time in our nation’s history for people to enter the workforce.”

For more information and to view Australian Jobs 2011 www.deewr.gov.au/australianjobs or email AustralianJobs@deewr.gov.au

Media Contact: media@deewr.gov.au

Non-media queries: 1300 363 079

This media release originally issued on the 18 May 2011 by the Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care

Media Release: MA welcomes budget focus on disadvantaged areas

Mission Australia has welcomed the Gillard Government’s budget focus on addressing disadvantage in particular areas around the country and helping people in those locations find jobs and better participate in the community.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said the organisation also supported the budget’s aim of helping more long-term unemployed people back into work.

“We think it strikes the right balance between incentives and increased resources for jobseekers and Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients who have a reasonable capacity to work with measures that emphasise people’s reciprocal obligations – obligations we think are in line with community expectations,” said Mr Hall.

“There’s nothing in the government’s welfare-to-work changes that we think are particularly onerous. Our experience is that disadvantaged job seekers can respond positively to more rigorously applied compliance measures – if applied consistently and fairly. They provide a measure of order that may be lacking in their lives.

“In terms of DSP recipients who have a reasonable capacity to work, we think the budget changes are sensible and balanced.

“We have to get over the idea that reforming the DSP is an attack on disabled people – it’s not.

“There is no question that the majority of people in receipt of DSP are genuinely disabled and require significant levels of support.

“However, successive governments and a failing welfare system have allowed thousands of people without serious disabilities to move from the dole to receiving DSP where they are not engaged in looking for work. This is despite the fact they might have a capacity for employment and their issues could be overcome with intensive support.

“This group has genuine barriers to employment that they need support in overcoming. But they can be overcome – so let’s do it.

“One observation about the welfare package is that the government is placing a significant emphasis on Centrelink and its ability to help the sometimes vulnerable people the government is seeking to return to the workforce.

“We hope that buried in the detail is more funding to build Centrelink’s capacity to understand the often complex issues around these people.

“And while recognising the very substantial investment in mental health we think $201m over five years to help states/territories better coordinate and provide mental health services related to accommodation and admission/discharge from hospital isn’t enough. We also need more than just co-ordination – we need real housing.

“But overall a fair budget – a positive budget – for the people we help,” said Mr Hall.

Toby Hall is available for comment

Media inquiries: Paul Andrews 0409 665 495

Indigenous Employment Program provides independence and confidence

Nine graduates from a Mission Australia Employment Solutions pre-employment program in the Hunter Valley were recognised this week, at a ceremony to mark the completion of the course.

The graduates have just finished the pre-vocational element of Mission Australia’s Indigenous Employment Program (IEP), which offers indigenous Australians who are looking for work the opportunity to secure a job in the health care or social assistance industries.

The overall objective of IEP is to increase Indigenous Australians employment outcomes and participation in economic activities, contributing to the government's commitment to halving the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous employment outcomes.

Upper Hunter Mission Australia Business Manager Maree Spokes said the aim was to help participants find a job and develop a career path in positions like nursing, aged and disability care work, residential support work or in the childcare industry.

“We provide four weeks of pre-employment training, which includes a five-day job readiness component and three weeks of industry specific pre-vocational training, as well as first aid training,” Ms Spokes said.

“We are now working with local employers and Mission Australia’s Australian Apprenticeship Centres to line up employment positions for our program participants.”

At Monday’s graduation, the participants were presented with certificates and cut a cake to celebrate the occasion.

Participant Julie Miles said before joining the program she had little motivation, but since completing the course she has gained independence and confidence.

New website for MA Employment Solutions

Mission Australia Employment Solutions recently launched a new website featuring information on our employment programs and site locations, as well as downloadable brochures, fact sheets and tips for job seekers.

Mission Australia is one of Australia's largest providers of Job Services Australia, Australian Apprenticeships and the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme. We have been providing employment services for some 33 years, and operates from close to 150 locations across Australia, with representation in every state and territory.

The new website also includes online forms to allow employer customers to lodge job vacancies, and job seekers to apply for the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme or National Green Jobs Corps programs.

"We've rebuilt the new site from the ground up to help improve the overall visitor experience," said Anthony Rumble, National Marketing and Communication Manager for Employment Solutions.

"Visitors will now find easier access to site locations and contact details, and can also download copies of the current brochure and fact sheet materials.

"Over the next few months, we'll continue to roll out new resources and features, such as newsletter subscriptions, access to downloadable resume and cover letter templates, and articles and advice covering a range of employment topics."

To see the new website, visit www.employmentsolutions.com.au. While you're there, please take the time to let us know what you think.

Media coverage - The Drum: Shifting the focus of the mental health system

Much of the recent debate about Australia’s parlous mental health system has revolved around its lack of funding.

It’s been estimated that an extra $2.5 billion over four years – and $3.5 billion over five – is required to address the demand for mental health care across Australia.

But all the money in the world won’t make a difference if the system doesn’t work.

Don’t get me wrong, a significant injection of funds is absolutely essential if we’re going to get on top of the mental health crisis in this country. But it will be good money after bad if our overall approach to the problem doesn’t undergo a sea-change.

Put simply our mental health system must move from delivering pills to delivering practical support and care built around fundamental needs such as employment and housing.

The problem as it stands is that clinical intervention comes first and the support and care required to help mentally ill people participate fully in our community comes a distant second.

That’s because, at present, the medical profession sits at the heart of delivering mental health outcomes. This has to end.

Through my membership of the Mental Health Expert Working Group – set up by Mark Butler to advise the government on mental health – I have come to believe that of the numerous blueprints and strategies for change, past and present, all of them fall short because they are almost exclusively health-based responses.

Most give no consideration to employment, housing and social participation, opportunities most of us take for granted but which are a constant struggle for the majority of Australians dealing with mental illness, and when they do it’s as an under-researched afterthought.

The medical experts behind these proposals, while well-meaning, are trained to fix health issues not provide guidance on housing, skills training, accessing employment or enrolling in education.

The solution is to put care ahead of medical treatment.

This needs a radical shift of understanding by governments, and by our society as a whole, in terms of addressing mental illness.

It will also involve a massive re-direction of funding to organisations that can provide holistic support and care to those with mental health problems and intellectual disabilities and their families.

I’m aware the cynics will interpret this as Mission Australia’s CEO making a play for more funding. But I’d sign away any opportunity for my organisation to receive a red cent if it meant we were able to change our current approach.

How would it work? Well it happens in our services every day of the week.

Take Michael, a young man I met recently, as an example.

Beset by severe mental health problems Michael, now aged in his early 30s, spent much of his 20s homeless, including several periods sleeping rough.

This time in Michael’s life was characterised by a merry-go-round of hospital admissions and discharges, at great cost to the community, but with limited or no benefit in terms of quality of life.

But by giving Michael personalised, non-clinical care – providing him with the support he needed to maintain independent accommodation and navigate daily life – he now lives in his own unit and hasn’t been in hospital for five years.

Michael’s clinical treatment is almost identical to what he received previously, but his quality of life has vastly improved.

It costs government around $900 per night to keep a homeless person with a mental illness in a hospital bed. In fact, there are estimates it can cost NSW Health up to $60,000 a year to provide emergency medical care to a homeless person with a mental illness.

It costs organisations like us a fraction of that amount to give someone the support they need – and our approach is infinitely more successful.

It’s also holistic care. Employment, housing and treatment all rolled into the one package.

We see literally thousands of Michaels in our services every year.

Talk to them and their families and they quickly tell you that while adequate and reliable medical care is high on their list of needs, their greater desire is to be part of the community. They just need help to achieve it.

In short, they need a society that can care and support the whole person.

If Minister Butler is after a template for reform he need only look at his government’s approach to tackling homelessness.

This was driven by a three-person council who worked brilliantly to assist the government in developing a policy platform for a system that had been broken for decades.

While significant challenges remain it laid a successful foundation for the work ahead.

Unless he takes a similarly focussed approach, and takes the matter out of the hands of special interest groups and the medical establishment, he will not get far.

And until we adjust our thinking around mental health to be one of caring for people rather than treating them, the system will continue to fail.

Toby Hall is the Chief Executive Officer of Mission Australia.  Story originally published at ABC's The Drum.

Media coverage - Scone Advocate: New program for indigenous seekers

A new employment program involving the health and child care industries has recently been launched in Scone, Muswellbrook and Singleton.

The program offers indigenous residents looking for work, a career in the fields of health and childcare and provides ongoing support to the employee in their position.

Launched by Mission Australia Employment Solutions, the Indigenous Employment Program is a joint initiative with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

About 40 Indigenous community members living in the Upper Hunter will be assisted in seeking positions in nursing, aged and disability care, residential support, administration and child care positions, as well as receiving pre-vocational training to improve their job readiness.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions regional manager Jodie Gilliland said with so many job opportunities currently available in these fields and demand expected to increase over the next five years this program provides a great opportunity for local businesses to find the right job-ready employees.

After completing their pre-vocational training, including obtaining their First Aid certificate and a Statement in Attainment in Community Health, participants will move on to receive further qualifications through completing traineeships.

"We're keen to hear from local employers who are interested in partnering with us and benefiting from finding job-ready employees who are raring to go."

Story courtesy of The Scone Advocate

Visit Mission Australia's Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island resources page for our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), the latest indigenous news, current affairs and policy updates.

Enterprising young men lend a hand after Yasi

Here’s a very welcome good news story from Queensland. Seven young Indigenous Employment Program participants from Cairns recently volunteered their time to help elderly locals clean up after Cyclone Yasi, which swept through late last month.

The young men, who are gaining landscaping and construction skills through Djarragun Enterprises, contacted the local RSL offering to clear vegetation and debris from the yards of elderly people in the community.

They subsequently helped residents in Gordonvale and Mission Beach, clearing their properties and bringing their yards back to a condition that would be easier for them to maintain in the future.

In Gordonvale, they helped clear a mini banana plantation from the backyard of a 92-year-old war veteran. The Djarragun Enterprises crew took two days of hard work to clear damaged plants and prepare the area for re-growth. In the process, the team bonded with the home owner and offered to help her on an ongoing basis.

The young men also travelled down to Mission Beach and spent the day offering what assistance they could, free of charge. The day started early for the crew, who left at 6am for the trip and arrived home after 7pm.

“As the emphasis of the program is to equip our participants to operate in mainstream society, it was a valuable opportunity for them to experience the benefits of giving freely of their time and energy to assist others less fortunate,” said Programs Manager Steve Burrowes.

Djarragun Enterprises is an Indigenous Employment Program social enterprise that operates out of Cairns. Funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), this 15-month program provides an industry-based employment pathway for Indigenous graduates from Djarragun College.

Three Mission Australia live-in support staff work closely with participants at their accommodation, helping them to develop social skills and ensure they are self-sufficient and assisted to make the transition into permanent employment.

Mission Australia also provides post-placement and employment support to young people who complete training with Djarragun Enterprises.

Strong online start with DoinBiz

Mission Australia is helping entrepreneurs to get their businesses off the ground by offering free online support to NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) participants.

Every NEIS client who successfully completes their training and starts a business is eligible to be featured on our DoinBiz site - www.doinbiz.com.au - with no fee for online design and uploading during the first year of trading.

Created two years ago, DoinBiz enables Mission Australia NEIS businesses to market their products and services. The website gives small businesspeople starting out a helping hand and ongoing promotional support while educating them about the value of quality online marketing.

Small businesses on the DoinBizwebsite are presented in ‘industry’ categories – from ‘air conditioning to tourism’ - to help potential customers find services.

DoinBiz has recently been expanded to include NEIS participants in Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania and it is expected that the site will host close to 200 businesses by the end of June 2011.

“We know that if in the early days we assist clients responsibly, and they benefit from their appearance on DoinBiz, that they will naturally remain a long-term client and expand their business presence, recognising it has traceable, measurable benefits for their business,” said Warren Silverston, Mission Australia’s Business Manager NEIS South Australia.

“It exposes our clients to a much larger market, both in Australia and overseas, than would be expected through more traditional forms of marketing such as newspapers. Most importantly, it gives our clients a higher potential success rate in achieving independence from income support and creating new jobs for other unemployed people.”

The website has been constructed to ensure anyone using a search engine such as Google who is looking for a specific product or service will be quickly and directly linked to a Mission Australia NEIS participant’s web page.

“This ‘economies of scale’ web-based marketing model is designed to give even the most computer-illiterate NEIS participant access to this technology,” said Mr Silverston. “The more businesses on the site the merrier and the greater pull for the search engines.”

Mr Silverston added that the DoinBiz promotional website was unique to Mission Australia as a NEIS provider. To find out more visit www.doinbiz.com.au.

NEIS is funded by the Australian Government's Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, and is designed to help unemployed job seekers to set up and run their own business. NEIS provides accredited training in small business, business advice and mentoring as well as 52 weeks’ worth of income support.