A TRIAL program, aiming to provide pathways to employment in the healthcare industry, has seen its first round of participants graduate.
The graduation ceremony took place in the Port of Sale’s Wellington Room on Friday, June 23, with Wellington Shire Council Deputy Mayor John Tatterson among those in attendance.
Cr Tatterson praised the pilot program, saying the initiative “plays an important role in providing candidates with support, guidance and skills to move into employment.”
“The Wellington Shire region has a number of job opportunities available, and this pre-employment program helps to bridge the gap and have more people who are enthusiastic to work, employed in the area,” Cr Tatterson said.
Funded by the federal government’s Regional Jobs Fund and led by not-for-profit employment services organisation Workways Australia, the VitalSTEPS program provides a six-week entry-level training course to prepare job seekers for employment in Central Gippsland Healthcare Service (CGHS).
Project Manager Bec Waterson said the program was made possible through the collaborative efforts of multiple organisations.
“When we first proposed the VitalSTEPS program to Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, they were incredibly supportive and could immediately see the benefits of a pre-employment program for non- clinical roles in the healthcare industry,” Ms Waterson said.
“There have been so many people involved in making this program work, including Heyfield Community Resource Centre who have partnered with us to deliver the program; the Skills and Jobs Centre at TAFE Gippsland, who kindly donated merchandise to the program; Adult Community and Further Education, who have funded training hours; Partners in Training, who developed the units especially for our participants; and the Workways team in Sale who have focused on bringing participants into the course who are keen to pursue a role in healthcare.
“This truly has been a collaborative event.”
One of the graduates, Wayne, had been unemployed for more than 12 months when he joined the program.
At 66 years of age, he had stepped away from his long term career as a butcher due to the heavy physical toll on his body.
“When we approached Wayne about this opportunity, he jumped at the chance,” Ms Waterson said.
“Wayne had applied for several jobs over the past year and felt that his age was a barrier for employers even though he had years of both work and life experience that he could apply in any workplace.
“He commenced the VitalSTEPS program with a view to gain employment in gardening and maintenance with Central Gippsland Health Service.
“After the first week of the pre-employment training, and given the opportunity to be exposed to different career pathways and touring the health services facilities, Wayne has his ambition set on a pathway into aged care.”
Having graduated, the participants will now be taking their first steps into a new career.
“The knowledge and experience that our participants have gained will ensure that on their first day at work, they’ll be ready to make a difference,” Ms Waterson said.
“We’re so proud of them all and immensely excited to see what the future holds!”
