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 jobs in the aged care and disability sectors – helping to meet growing demand for more than 17,000 new employees in Victoria by 2023.
The project is open to jobseekers who are 50 years and older and living in Brimbank, Melton or Bacchus Marsh areas of Melbourne. After our information sessions in early February, only a few spaces are left in the first cohort, which begins study in March 2020. A second cohort will kick off in July 2020.
Participants will be supported to complete a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability). Delivered by RMIT University, the certificate’s brand new curriculum has been co-designed by industry experts and people with lived experience. Participants receive a range of supports, including:
- access to a Life Coach from Good Shepherd Australia and New Zealand (GSANZ)
- IT and digital literacy support
- financial counselling
- jobseeker assistance such as resume writing, interview techniques and understanding the employment market
- employment placement support.
An Advisory Committee made up of local employers will support and guide the pilot project.
The project is delivered by COTA Victoria, in partnership with the Future Social Services Institute at RMIT University and GSANZ. It is supported by the Try, Test and Learn Fund – an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
For details visit the project website. If you are a jobseeker and are interested in joining the program – or if you are an employer who is 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.
