graduation celebration

Jobseekers celebrate graduation, new jobs

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Jobseekers celebrate graduation, new jobs

3 November 2010
Article from Mid Coast Observer

Nine local jobseekers celebrated their graduation from a program geared to prepare them for work in the
retail industry recently.

The ‘Transition to Work’ Indigenous Employment Program was a combined initiative of Big W, Diversity Dimensions and the Central West Community College. It aimed to expose them to the opportunities available in the local retail industry with five participants successfully gaining employment. The four week program delivered intensive work experience and training to prepare Indigenous jobseekers for the workplace. Central West Community College’s Kempsey site coordinator Julia Cole said although the program takes longer for companies such as Big W to gain new employees, the results have proven that it’s well worth it.

Transition to Work participant Lyle Quinlin with his certificates

“We are really proud to be working in the community we serve. To employee five local jobseekers is very rewarding.”

“It takes longer to prepare the staff for work but recruiting through a program like this ensures the right skills are developed in the environment they are going to be working in. The program helps to develop staff who are more committed about their work, more motivated to come to work and more enthusiastic about being there,” she said.

Participants underwent a variety of ‘on the job’ experience and training in Kempsey’s Big W store. Store manager Lisa McKenna said the program was highly successful.

“We are really proud to be working in the community we serve. To employee five local jobseekers is very rewarding,” she said.

Participants were presented with completion certificates at a graduation ceremony last Friday. Participants included Amelia Daley, Tustine Ahoy, Emma Cartwright, Lyle Quinlin, Dayton Coulter, Joel Roberts, Kenalee Smith and Janice Thaidy.

This is the second group of ‘Transition to Work’ participants to graduate. The program kicked off in Mudgee earlier this year and has since been rolled out to Parkes with Orange to follow shortly.

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