HEYFIELD Community Resource Centre has successfully helped residents get into work by connecting them with employers and teaching them ‘soft skills’.

As a Learn Local organisation, the centre hosted ‘Kick Start Your Career’, a five-week course that began in August, and has helped students into employment, inspired new businesses and improved employability skills and confidence.

After having to relocate from Maffra suddenly and not having the support of family nearby, Heyfield resident Peta Fisher said the course helped her hit the ground running, and she now has two jobs.

“A friend and I did the course together, which gave us the tools to get ready for work, helping us with things like the resume, portfolio and (attire),” Ms Fisher said.

“We worked on all the boring stuff to get us ready to apply for jobs. I worked in government beforehand and thought I had the skills, but it was good to find avenues for support, and meet the local employers.

“Local employers met us and gave us their spiel so we could ask them questions, which was really good. We worked really closely with the Heyfield community.”

Heyfield resident Peta Fisher now has two jobs thanks to help from the program.
Photo: Contributed

Ms Fisher now works at Quick Cuppa as a food attendant and IGA as a retail assistant.

“I actually applied for both jobs before I did the course, but we got to meet the employers as part of the course. That gave me face value and showed I was serious about working, and not just a piece of paper and an application on the computer,” she said.

“We got to go check out employers on site. I got to go to IGA and see all the potential jobs they have behind the scenes.

“I would love to promote this program as much as possible. We had people near retirement age in the course who don’t have computer skills and worked the same jobs for decades. We had young people who were active and ready to learn,” she said.

“Flexibility with the course was great. And it was fantastic to see my friend’s confidence go up.

“And we all have different experiences and get to share to change our perspective that we didn’t know. They’re so welcoming here in Heyfield.”

Heyfield Community Resource Centre is one of many Neighbourhood Houses around Gippsland. Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Trainer for Heyfield’s Learn Local Program Christine Brooks said the course had given students a good understanding of what the job market was at the moment.

“It’s amazing how the participants say (this program) has been really valuable,” Ms Brooks said.

“One of the great things about Learn Local programs is that they’re very safe environments. They’re small groups, they’re very supportive. So it’s very much about if you need one-on-one help, we can help you with that. It’s really about getting people back in employment and educational pathways.”

Ms Brooks said the course focused on three key areas: the first is employability, second is connection to industry, and third is writing resumes, cover letters, key selection criteria and practising interview skills.

“Learn Local program students are typically (aged) 17 plus,” she said.

“We’ve had people in their 20s and a woman in her 60s, so it’s quite a diverse range. And what’s great about this group is that all of them without exception have either got a job, started their own business or got an application in for a job that they should be able to get interviews for.”

Trainer for Heyfield’s Learn Local Program Christine Brooks. Photo: Stefan Bradley

Ms Brooks says the biggest hurdle for students was confidence and making connections.

“We made connections with organisations like ASH, IGA, Tinamba Hotel and Railway Hotel,” she said.

“We also had a range of guest speakers. We try to get good quality speakers, including from the local jobs program and the local schools and job centres,” she said.

Skills & Training Minister Gayle Tierney visited the centre to learn about the program, an appearance welcomed by Heyfield Community Resource Centre manager Caroline Trevorrow.

“Minister Gayle Tierney visited on August 24 as part of a wider visit to Gippsland and it was a great case for us to showcase to the minister the important role that Learn Locals plays in the community,” Ms Trevorrow said.

“She recognised that one of the strengths of our Kick Start Your Career Program was the creation of a link between businesses and learners as this provided a valuable introduction for them to gain employment.”

Ms Trevorrow said the Kick Start Your Career course would return next year.

Those interested in finding more about a Learn Local program are encouraging to reach out to the centre. Photo: Stefan Bradley.

“We will be running Kick Start Your Career in the health sector, which is an entry-level employment pathway program, with Central Gippsland Health in May 2023 and Kick Start Your Career in Heyfield in August 2023,” she said.

Ms Trevorrow said the last Learn Local program for the year at the Heyfield Community Resource Centre begins this month and is called ‘Work For Yourself: Care & Support’.

“Work for Yourself: Care & Support will get learners ready to set themselves up as sole traders to offer basic services like cleaning, gardening and community engagement support to NDIS participants,” she said.

“It will also give them pathways to employment with NDIS providers. To get involved they can contact the resource centre on coordinator@heyfield.net.”

To be involved in a program, phone your local provider to find out what the next course is going to be.

Ms Trevorrow also teaches a digital literacy course.