Jobs Victoria and Skillinvest to help Wimmera job seekers

The program aims to increase employment opportunities for job seekers in the area and assists businesses to fulfil their workforce needs, by connecting employers to job seekers with a targeted approach.

Skillinvest is one of more than 75 Jobs Victoria Partners in communities across the state, providing free support to people looking for work.

They're part of the Victorian Government's $619 million Jobs Victoria initiative, which supports people looking for work and connects employers with the staff they need.

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Skillinvest Employment Programs Manager Anita Peters said their organisation is proud to be part of a 600-strong state-wide force of Jobs Victoria Advocates, Mentors and Career Counsellors working to ensure that no Victorian was left behind in the search for a job.

"Our Jobs Victoria Mentors at Skillinvest help people to become work-ready, find a job that suits them and support them in their role for the first six months. We help people understand their career options and give them the tools and confidence they need to pursue them," she said.

Most definitely this program aims to benefit both employers and jobs seekers. Employers may be eligible to access wage subsidies which assists them financially to help rebuild their workforce needs and job seekers who are long term unemployed or at risk of long-term unemployment will receive the tailored support they need to reduce their barriers, build on their employability skills and connect them to employers.

Job seekers engage with specialist Mentors who aim to understand their circumstances with a case management approach, and assess their work readiness, support needs and career aspirations.

This can include providing advice on community supports available, specific skills training and/or education, preparation for interviews, resume building and active job searching and mentor support for six months post placement.

"Our Mentors will assist people who have been unemployed for six months or more, or are without a job and at risk of long-term unemployment," Ms Peters said.

"We also work with employers to understand their staffing needs and connect them with suitable local candidates."

The services are accessible online and over the phone while restrictions are in place.

The Jobs Victoria program is available in all regions across Victoria over the next two years.

This service is available for all eligible Victorian job seekers from the age of 16 who are seeking casual, part time and full-time employment and in the past 3 months Skillinvest has registered over 30 participants in the Wimmera Region with 12 successful outcomes of placements to date. These are fantastic results, given the short timeframe that this service has been running!

To learn more contact Skillinvest on 1300 135 008 or visit: www.skillinvest.com.au/jobs-victoria-mentors

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