Carlton jobseekers to benefit from new Work and Learning Centre
22 March 2012
The Brotherhood of St Laurence today welcomed the launch of its newest Work and Learning Centre in Carlton, the first of five centres to be funded by the Victorian Government that will assist public housing residents across Victoria to secure jobs and education for work.
The Centre, at 180 Palmerston Street, Carlton, was opened today by the Minister for Housing, Wendy Lovell, and will be run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence in conjunction with local partner agency The Church of All Nations. The service is modeled on the Brotherhood’s flagship Centre for Work and Learning, Yarra, established in Fitzroy in 2009.
Tony Nicholson, Executive Director of the Brotherhood, said: ‘At each Centre for Work and Learning, job-seekers are assisted to access a training and employment pathway that’s right for them. It’s all about building a line of sight to a decent job.
‘Despite the significant barriers to employment our job-seekers face, many of them remain highly motivated to secure work. For most people, finding a good job is the foundation for a good life in which their aspirations for themselves and their families can be achieved.
‘However, bringing these job-seekers into the workforce is not only good news for them. It’s also very good news for employers. The Brotherhood helps the employers it partners with to address local labour needs and skills shortages, by working to match their recruitment needs with well-prepared job-seekers.
The Centre will also work closely with the Victorian Government’s Public Tenant Employment Program, which includes filling job vacancies for roles in maintenance, landscaping, security, and construction on the Carlton Housing Redevelopment project.
‘We are excited about the roll-out of this great program and also look forward to working with our local partner, the Church of All Nations in Carlton’ Mr Nicholson said.
Work and Learning Advisors will work with participating Carlton residents to develop a plan for their journey to employment. Activities can include pre-vocational and accredited training courses, job search training, as well as access to English language and computer skills classes.
Local employers and job-seekers are encouraged to contact Dan Kavanagh at the Carlton Work and Learning Centre on (03) 9288 9931 to find out more.
The Minister for Housing, Wendy Lovell, officially opened the Carlton Work and Learning Centre at 11am Thursday 22nd March 2012, Church of All Nations, 180 Palmerston Street, Carlton.
Download the media release (PDF file 230 KB)
Media enquiries: Terri Heard on (03) 9483 1339 or (0419) 370 934
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