Jobseeker Services

The Brotherhood has a long history of working with people with complex personal issues. These issues can range from having troubles at home, to being a newly arrived migrant or refugee. Other people might simply have been out of work for a long time.

We have found that the most effective way of improving the job prospects of long-term unemployed people and those facing barriers to employment is to offer training and opportunities for paid work or work placement in supported environments.

While some people will be ready for employment or training right away, others will need more time and specialised support to first develop healthy personal skills. The Brotherhood’s various methods of personal assistance linked to work and learning are flexible and can be tailored to the needs of specific clients.

What we offer jobseekers

The Centre for Work and Learning in Fitzroy is our central hub for jobseeker support services. Here, jobseekers from across inner Melbourne receive personal support and job search assistance from highly qualified case workers. Job preparation activities include interview skills training, computer classes, English conversation circles and ‘ready for work’ discussion groups.

The centre is also the portal for jobseeker access to accredited certificate training courses through the Brotherhood’s Training Services. Work placements, traineeships and direct employment with partner employers are also brokered across Greater Melbourne by the Brotherhood’s Employer Services team at the centre.

Our much-celebrated Given the Chance program remains a key offering, partnering motivated jobseekers with key employer and industry partners. And we walk the talk on social procurement, with many of our jobseekers placed into employment with the Brotherhood’s social enterprises.

Due to the success of the Centre for Work and Learning model, the Brotherhood is looking to roll out five new Work and Learning Centres in and around public housing estates across Victoria, in partnership with the Victorian Government, over the 2011-2012 period. Stay tuned for more updates as these new centre locations are announced.