JESUITSOCIALSERVICESRESPONSE:

VictorianGovernment’sEmployment ProgramsReview:BackgroundPaper

October2015

For furtherinformationcontact:

SallyParnell,A/CEO,JesuitSocialServicesTel:9421-7600

JesuitSocialServices

JesuitSocialServiceswelcomestheopportunitytorespondtotheVictorianGovernment’sEmploymentProgramsReviewBackgroundPaper.Wecommendthegovernment’sfocusontheemploymentneedsofvulnerableanddisadvantageVictorians.JesuitSocialServiceshasbeenalongstandingadvocateforpeoplewithcomplexneedswhoarehighlyvulnerableinsociety.Forover37years,wehaveaccompaniedpeoplewhoaredisengagedfromeducation,trainingandwork.Byworkinginsolidaritywithpeoplewhoareinneed,JesuitSocialServicesstrivestobuildajustsocietywherethe dignityofallpeopleisrespectedandthecommongoodispursued.

Inparticular,ourJesuitCommunityCollege,ourIgniteSocialEnterprise,ourAfricanAustralianInclusionPrograminpartnershipwithNationalAustraliaBank(NAB)andourWorkplaceInclusionProgramallworkdirectlywithpeopledisengagedfromeducationandemployment.Theseprogramsarehighlysuccessfulatre-engagingvulnerablegroups,supportingthemthroughalternativepathwaysintoeducation.Thesepracticalprogramsprovidesupportforpeopletolearn,trainandtakeupemploymentopportunities.Ourworkisgroundedinyearsofexperienceworkingwithpeopleinvolvedinthejusticesystem,culturallyandlinguisticdiversecommunities,refugeesandasylumseekers,youngpeoplewithmentalhealthissuesandindigenouscommunities.

Ourservicedeliveryandadvocacyfocusesonthefollowingkeyareas:

  • Justiceandcrimeprevention-forpeopleinvolvedwiththecriminaljusticesystem
  • Education,trainingandemployment-forpeoplewithbarrierstosustainableemployment
  • Mentalhealthandwellbeing-forpeoplewithmultipleandcomplexneedsandthoseaffectedbytrauma,suicide,andcomplexbereavement
  • Settlementandcommunitybuilding-forrecentlyarrivedimmigrants,refugees,displacedpeopleanddisadvantagedcommunities.

Ouremploymentinitiativesaredescribedbelow.AfulldescriptionofourprogramsinprovidedatAppendix1.

  • JesuitCommunityCollege:TheCollegeisaRegisteredTrainingOrganisationandLearnLocalorganisation.Weassistpeoplefacingsignificantbarrierstolearning,providingrealskillsforlife,learningandwork.
  • ArtfulDodgersStudios:PartofJesuitCommunityCollegeprovidingpathwaystoeducation,trainingandemploymentforyoungpeoplewithmultipleandcomplexneedsassociatedwithmentalhealth,substanceabuseandhomelessness;
  • AfricanAustralianInclusionProgram:ApartnershipbetweenJesuitSocialServicesandtheNationalAustraliaBankthatprovidespaidworkexperienceplacementsforpeoplefromAfricancommunities.
  • SocialenterpriseIgniteCafés:OurIgniteCafes(locatedinHawthornandCamberwell)are'livingclassrooms'wherepeoplegainon-the-job,realworkexperiencesandcertifiedtraining.Throughourcafesparticipantscangainexperienceinbothback-of-houseandfront-of-househospitalityserviceswhilecompletingaccreditedcoursesthroughJesuitCommunityCollege.
  • WorkplaceInclusionprogram:AprogramofJesuitCommunityCollegethatpartnersdirectlywithemployerstoprovidetailoredpre-placementtrainingandentrylevelemploymentopportunitiesforpeopleexperiencingsignificantbarrierstosocialandeconomicinclusion.Sinceitsinceptionin2013,theWorkplaceInclusionProgramhasworkedwithover30employersandplaced43participantsinemploymentopportunities.
  • IndustryEmploymentInitiative:TheIndustryEmploymentInitiative(IEI)isdevelopingandprototypingademand-ledemploymentmodelthatcanmeettheentry-levelrecruitment

needsofnationalemployersaroundthecountrywhileimprovingemploymentoutcomesforlong-termunemployedjobseekerswhowanttowork.ThroughtheIEI,JesuitCommunityCollegeiscurrentlyworkingwithColesSupermarketstosupport30highlydisadvantagedyoungpeopleintoentrylevelemployment.

Overviewofoursubmission

TheAustralianjobmarkethasbecomemorecompetitiveoverthepastfewdecadesasthenumberoftraditionalentry-leveljobshasshrunkandthedemandforqualified,skilledandexperiencedworkershasgrown.Victoria’sunemploymentrateis6.2percent.Currentlytherearesixunemployedpeopleforeveryjobvacancy.Thereisalsoasignificantmismatchinmanysectorsbetweentheneedsofemployers,andtheskillsandcapacitiesofthepeoplewhoarelookingforwork.Inadditionpeopleareremainingunemployedforlonger,withthenumberoflong-termNewstartrecipientsinAustraliaincreasingby50%inthelastthreeyears.1

Table1:Victorianemploymenttrends2

Victoria / May2013 / May2014 / May2015
Unemploymentrate / 5.8% / 6.5% / 6.2%
Underemploymentrate / 8.1% / 8.3% / 8.8%
Youthunemploymentrate / 10.4% / 13.9% / 14.2%
Workforceparticipationrate / 64.9% / 64.3% / 64.8%

Victorianswhoarealreadyfacingdisadvantage,–suchasAboriginalpeople,peoplewithdisabilities,peopleinthejusticesystem,vulnerableyoungpeople,peoplefromculturallyandlinguisticallydiversecommunities,andpeoplefromrural,regional,orsocioeconomicallydisadvantagedcommunities–alreadyhavehigherratesofunemployment,underemployment,orlong-termunemployment,comparedtootherVictorians.Asthejobmarketgetstougherthesepeoplearetheonesmostlikelytolosetheirjobs,andtohavedifficultyfindingandsustainingwork.

Thehighvolume,lowmarginnatureofCommonwealthemploymentservicessuchasjobactivemeansthatmanydisadvantagedpeoplearenotprovidedwiththeintensive,ongoingandmeaningfulsupporttheyneed.Thecostforpeopleleftoutoftheworkforcecanbeimmense.Thelongerapersonisunemployed,theharderitisforthemtomoveintowork.Somewillfaceextendedrelianceonincome-supportpaymentsandothersocialservices,sufferfrompoorerhealth,orbecomemarginalisedfromtheircommunities.

Thecurrenthighlevelsofyouthunemploymentareofparticularconcern.Agrowingnumberofthenextgenerationofyoungpeoplefacesbeinglockedoutofemployment.Thiswillhavepotentiallydisastrousconsequencesfortheseyoungpeople,thebroadercommunityandtheeconomy.

1DepartmentofSocialServices,LabourMarketandRelatedPayments:amonthlyprofile,July2014,andDepartmentofFamilies,Housing,CommunityServicesandIndigenousAffairs,StatisticalPaperNo.10Incomesupportcustomers:astatisticaloverview,2011.

2AustralianBureauofStatistics, 6202.0-LabourForce,Australia, Sep2015,

Highlydisadvantagedjobseekers,faceconsiderableandmultiplebarriersthatpreventthemfromenteringtheformallabourmarket.Howeveremploymentinitiativesareoftenfundedonthebasisofsingleoutcomes.Webelievethatprogramsshouldbefundedonamilestonesbasedsystem.Thisapproachwouldhelptoensurethatprogramsaddressthetransitionsandneedsofdisadvantagedgroupsatdifferentstagesalongthepathwaytoreengagementineducationandemployment.

Aneffectiveapproachtodisadvantagedgroupsrequiresprovidingongoing,intensivesupporttobuildpeople’scapabilities;pathwaystomeaningfulparticipation–suchastraining,skillsdevelopment,workexperienceandopportunitiesforparticipationinthecommunity.

JesuitSocialServicescallsforacoordinatedstrategytoaddresstheemployment-relatedneedsofvulnerableanddisadvantagedgroups.Suchastrategywill providepathwaystoemployment,improvetheirhealthandwellbeingandreducerelianceonotherservices.Todothiswerecommendastrategybasedonsixkeyplanks:

1.Interveneearly,andintensively,topreventlong-termunemploymentanddisadvantage

2.Buildingtheskillsandcapabilitiesofvulnerablepeople(includingjob-readinesstraining,forjobseekerswithlimitedpreviousworkexperience,suchasyoungpeople,long-termunemployed,peopleinthejusticesystem,refugeesandmigrants).

3.Linkingeducationandtrainingtodemand,includingafocusonpositionsthatoffertherealprospectofongoingemployment.

4.Fosteringbusinessandcommunitypartnerships,andsupportexistingpartnershipstodeliverpathwaystoemployment,includingongoingpost-placementsupport

5.Trialawhole-of-communityapproachtoharnesscommunity-wideeffortstoaddressunemploymentinareasofsocioeconomicdisadvantage.

6.Evaluateandmeasurethelong-termoutcomesofemployment-relatedprogramstobetterunderstandthemosteffectivemodelsforvulnerableanddisadvantagedgroups.

ThissubmissionspecificallyaddressestheEmploymentProgramsReviewquestions1-1116-17.

Commonwealthservicesworkwellforthemainstreammajority

Commonwealthservicescaterwellforalargeproportionofthepopulationwhohaveaclearlydefinedsetofskillsandaclearsectortheycantarget.Howevercommonwealthservicesarehighvolume,compliancedrivenandprovideshort,sharpinterventionsthatarenotorientedtothetypeofintensive,holisticsupportthatdisadvantagedgroupsneedtofindandmaintainemployment.Thenarrowfocusonemploymentoutcomesfailstoaddresstheneedforprogressthroughparticipationfordisadvantagedgroups.

Wherejobactiveservicesarecapableofplacingapersoninemployment,oftentheemploymentpositionitselfisproblematic,oftenbecausethepersonisnotwellmatchedtotheposition,andthereforethejobbecomesunsustainable.Inaddition,toooftenthe

training,andWorkfortheDoleactivitiestakeplacewithoutaclearpathwayofhowparticipantswillmoveintowork.Thereisalsoalackofemployerengagementindevelopingpathwaysintowork.

Throughourresearchandadvocacy,JesuitSocialServiceshasconsistentlyidentifiedrecurringsystemicbarrierstoinclusionforthemostdisadvantagedlearnersandjobseekersinourcommunity-theseinclude:

  • thechurnofpeoplethrougharangeofineffectiveprogramsorshorttermsupport
  • limitationsintherangeofsupportofferedtopeoplewhoareclientsofjobactiveormainstreamtraininginstitutions
  • insufficientrecognitionofthesignificanttimeandeffortittakestoengagewithandbuildtrustingrelationshipswithdisadvantagedgroups
  • thelackofexplicitpathwaysfromtrainingandlearningprogramsintoemploymentandparticipation
  • thefocusoncomplianceandmeetingprescribedoutcomes,whichfailstoaddresstheneedsofdisadvantagedjobseekers.

Barrierstoemploymentandjobreadiness

Eachgroupcanfaceuniquebarrierstoemploymentbasedontheircircumstances,howevertherearealsobenumberofsharedandoverlappingfactorsacrossvulnerablegroupsthatcanposeabarriertoapersonbeing‘jobready’,theseinclude:

  • Individualfactors-suchasself-esteemandconfidenceissues,limitedself-efficacyinrelationtoaparticularoccupation,limitedEnglishlanguage ability,poorliteracyandnumeracy,lowoccupationalskilllevelsorpersonaldifficultiessuchaspoormentalhealthorphysicalhealthorsubstanceabuseissues.
  • Lifecircumstances-suchashomelessness,familyviolence,restrictionsrelatedtojusticeorders,lackofaccesstotransport,complexfinancialsituations,excessivedebtandpoverty,uncertainvisastatusorlimitedunderstandingofthejobmarketandtheAustralianworkplaceculture.

Participantsthatneedspecialisedsupport

Weworkwithpeopleinvolvedinthecriminaljusticeandchildprotectionsystemsandareawareofthespecificchallengesfacedbythesepeople.Thisincludesthosepeopleinvolvedinorexitingthejusticesystemandyoungpeopleleavingprotectivecare.YoungpeopleinourYouthJusticeCommunitySupportService(YJCSS)areoftendisengagedfromeducationatanearlyage,havelower-levelcognitivefunctioning,havelivedatransientlifestyleandareofteninstitutionalised.Oftentheseyoungpeoplehavehadtraumaticbackgroundsandhavenotyettransitionedtoapointwheretheyhavesufficient confidenceandcapacitytostepintoaworkplace.Thisisfurthercompounded byhomelessnessorlivinginhomeenvironmentswherethereisongoingfamilyviolenceorahistoryofinter-generationalunemployment.

Thisgroupofyoungpeoplehaveintheirformativeyearsoftenexperienceddysfunction,criminogenicbehavioursandabuse,traumaandneglect.SupportingYJCSSparticipantsintothework-forcerequiresanapproachappropriatetotheirlifestageandindividualexperienceswiththerecognitionthattherewillbeset-backs.Inadditionemployersneedtohaveanunderstandingofhowtheycansupporttheyoungpersontomanageandretainwork.

Attentionshouldbepaidtothespecificissuesforpeoplefromculturallyandlinguisticallydiversegroups,includingrecentlyarrivedmigrantsandasylumseekers,forwhomlanguageandisolationpresentsabarriertoemployment.Oftenpeopleinthesegroupsmaynotbe

eligibleforCentrelinkbenefitsortheassistanceofjobactivebecauseoftheirvisastatus.TheymayhaveworkrightsbutnotnecessarilyaccesstoCentrelinkandjobactive.Theyarealsonoteligiblefortraining.OthergroupsthatrequiretargetedapproachesincludeAboriginalAustralians,singleparents,womenexperiencingdomesticviolence,earlyschoolleavers;andlong-termunemployed.

Finallyweareawarethatthereareasignificantnumberofpeoplewhodonotfalleasilyintotheabovecategories.Oftentheyarehardtoreachandhardtoengage.Theirpersonalcircumstancesmaybeparticularlycomplex,ortheymaybereluctanttoengagewithservices.Thesefactorscanpreventthemfromeitherapplyingforor beingeligibleforCentrelinkpayments.Thiscanalsoincludepeoplewithdisabilitiesthatfallbelowtheofficialeligibilitylevelofdisabilityrequiredfordisabilitysupport,orwhohavedisabilitiesthattheymaynotwanttodisclose.Oftentheremaybeuntreatedanxietyanddepressionissuesandconsiderablebackgroundsoftrauma.

Recommendedactions:

  • Servicestohelpdisadvantagedgroupsintoemploymentneedtobeabletosupporttheirbroaderneedsandthenon-vocationalbarriers tosocialandeconomic inclusion.Thisshouldinvolve atailored,flexible approachthat addresses theneedsofeachindividualandencouragespursuingeducationandeventualemployment.
  • Promotingparticipationforthe most disadvantagedrequires holistic andongoingsupportthat isrelationship-based,directedtowardsbuildingcapabilities overtime,andprovidesclearpathwaysintolearningandwork.
  • Engagementactivitiesinlocalareasneedstobe fundedforhard-to-reachgroups,includingfor those thatdonot fitneatly intoacategoryofdisadvantage.

Thefollowingdescribessomeoftypesofserviceswebelievearerequiredsothatdisadvantagedgroupscanbuildtheircapacityandbeeffectivelysupportedintosustainableemployment.

Servicesdesigned around milestones ratherthansingleoutcomes

Employmentinitiativesareoftenfundedonthebasisofsingleoutcomes.Howeverforsomehighlydisadvantagedjobseekers,thebarrierstheyfacemeanthattheyaresomedistancefromenteringtheformallabourmarket.Programsthatsupportpeopletotransitionontofurtheropportunitiesaremorelikelytoseelong-termreengagementintheeducationsystemorpositiveemploymentoutcomes.

Webelievethatprogramsshouldbefundedonamilestonesbasedsystem.Fundingprovidersbasedonmilestoneswouldpotentiallyprovideanimpetustodeliverthistypeofsupport.Undersuchamilestonebasedsystem,outcomeswouldberemodelledtorewardengagementandparticipationinactivitiesrecognisedasessentialtoprevocationalpathways,commencementandcompletionoftraining,participationinworktastersorworkexperience,throughtoemploymentoutcomes.

Recommendedactions:

  • Employment-relatedinitiativesfordisadvantagedgroupsshouldtobefundedonamilestone model ratherthanasingle outcomemodel.Thiswouldrecognise the stagesthatarerequiredtosupportvulnerableanddisadvantagedgroupsintoemployment,andensurethat providers use astepped approachto support.

Afocusoneducation andtraining

Educationplaysacriticalroleinaddressingmanyoftheoverlappingissuesencounteredbyvulnerableanddisadvantagedgroups.Unfortunately,inAustralia,themostvulnerablepeoplearestillsystemicallyexcludedfromtheeducationsystem,withsocioeconomicstatuscontinuingtohaveamajorinfluenceontheeducationalattainmentlevelsofAustralians.3

Thereisanincreasingemphasisonqualificationsasaprerequisiteforwork,andagrowingdemandforhigherskills.VocationalEducationandTraining (VET)providesanimportantpathwayforpeoplefromdisadvantagedbackgroundstogainqualificationsandfindmeaningfulwork.Since2008,theVETsystemhasundergonesignificantreform,resultinginunfavourablechangesfordisadvantagedgroups.Previousreformssawariseinpoorqualityprovisionandareductioninfundingforequityprograms.Consequently,therehavebeenfewerenrolmentsfrompeopleacrossarangeofvulnerablegroups,andofthestudentswhodoenrol,manyfindthetransitiontofurtherstudyand/oremploymentchallenging.

OurJesuitCommunityCollegeeducationalapproachdiffersfrommainstreameducationenvironments,inthatourclassnumbersarelowinorderthatwecanprovideparticipantswithindividualsupport,allowingustoclearlyidentifytheneedsofeachlearner,butalsosothatwecanbuildrapportandtrustofparticipants.Thisisimportantinbeingabletofullyunderstandthebarriersthattheparticipantsfaceinaccessingfurthereducationandemploymentposttheperiodofthecommunitywork.

TheVictorianGovernmentiscurrentlyconductingamuchneededfundingreviewoftheVETsystem.VETplaysacriticalroleinprovidingpathwaystoemploymentfordisadvantagedgroups.Itiscriticalthatthevalueoflocal,smallerinitiatives,thatareintegratedintocommunitiesarerecognisedandsupported.

Recommendedactions:

  • Programsshouldbe tailoredtostudent needs, beaccessible andaffordable andinvest intheengagementandretentionofdisadvantagedgroups.
  • JesuitSocialServices supportsimmediate reformtotheVET systemtoensuredisadvantagedgroupsare reengagedineducationandaregivenopportunities toreachtheirfullpotential.

3ProductivityCommission,2013,ReportonGovernmentServices,

  • Educationandtrainingprogramsshouldbefully linkedwithemployment pathwaysprograms.
  • Educationandthe employment needsbe supportedby flexible fundingpackages sothathighquality educationandtrainingprogramscanworkholistically withdisadvantagedgroups.

Locationmatters:giving prioritytothemostdisadvantagedcommunities

Certainlocationsandcommunitiesarelinkedtolowerlevelsoflabourforceparticipation,lowerskilllevels,lowerlevelsofeducationalattainmentandhigherunemploymentrates.Unemploymentissignificantandnotablyworseinregionalandremotecommunitiesandintheurbangrowthcorridors.

TheDroppingOfftheEdge(DOTE)reportbyJesuitSocialServicesandCatholicSocialServicesAustralia(2015)foundthatthemostvulnerablefourpercentoflocalitiesinVictoriashowedhighratesofunemployment,criminalconvictions,disability,childmaltreatment,familyviolenceandpsychiatricadmissionsalongsidelowlevelsofeducation.4Peopleinthelowestsocio-economicareasareapproximately20percentlesslikelytoattainYear12orequivalent.5(AustralianSocialInclusionBoard2012).

DOTEresearchshowsthatasignificantnumberofpostcodeshavepersistent,entrencheddisadvantage.Forexamplethoselivinginthe3%mostdisadvantagedpostcodesinthestateare:

•3.6timesaslikelytohavespenttimeinprison;

•3.3timesaslikelytobeexperiencinglongtermunemployment;

•Nearly3timesmorelikelytohavealowlevelofeducation

Theinterconnectionbetweeneducationaldisadvantageandunemploymentandbroaderformsofdisadvantageisfurtherhighlightedwhenweconsideroutcomesinotherareas:

  • Involvementinthejusticesystem:56%ofyoungpeopleincustodyinVictoriahavebeensuspendedorexpelledfromschool(YouthParoleBoard2014),andonly17percentofthenationaladultprisonpopulationhadcompletedYear12(AIHW2012)
  • Involvementwithchildprotection:lessthanhalfofchildreninresidentialcareinVictoriaattendschoolonaregularbasis(VictorianAuditor-General2014)
  • Increasedriskofpoorhealth:In2009,only50%of20-24yearoldsreportingfairorpoorhealthhadattainedYear12,comparedto79%forthosereportinggoodorexcellenthealth(ABS4102.0)
  • Increasedriskofunemployment:approximately50%ofworking-agedpeople,whosehighesteducationlevelwasYear11orbelow,arenotinthelabourforce(ABS6227.0)
  • Increasedriskofhomelessness:26%of15–24yearoldsaccessingspecialisthomelessnessservicesarenotinsomeformofeducationandtraining(AIHW2014a)

4VinsonTRawsthorneM,2015, Dropping OfftheEdge,Persistent CommunalDisadvantageinAustralia, JesuitSocialServicesandCatholicSocialServicesAustralia,

5AustralianSocial InclusionBoard,2012SocialInclusionin Australia.How Australia isfaring2ndEdition,

  • Increasedriskofmentalhealthissues:1in4youngpeoplewereexperiencingacommonmentalhealthdisorderin2007.Youngpeoplewithamentalhealthdisorderaremorelikelytohavelowereducationalattainment,experiencejoblessnessandhavepoorphysicalhealth(AIHW2014b)

Locatingplacesoflearningandemploymentpathwayswithinvulnerablecommunitieshelpstoalleviatesomestructuralandaccessibilitybarrierstoeducationandemployment.

ResearchsuggeststhatthisstrategyisoneofthebestwaysofincreasingparticipationbyvulnerablegroupsintheVETsector.6

Strongpartnershipswithlocalbusinesses,trainingandeducationorganisationsandcommunityorganisationshelptosupportthetransitiontoemploymentaswellasshareresourcesandexpertisebetweenorganisations.Stronglinksbetweendifferenteducationandemploymentservicesmeansthatindividualsareeasilyabletobothaccessopportunities totransitionaswellasbesupportedintheirtransitions.

Partnershipswiththecommunitycancreateopportunitiestoengagetheperson’ssupportnetworks,suchasfamily,neighboursandfriends.Parentsandfamilieshaveastrongabilitytoinfluenceaperson’sdecisionsandattitudestowardseducationandtraining,andtherefore,itbecomesveryimportanttoengagethefamilyandothersupportnetworkswhenreengagingpeopleineducationandtraining.7

Recommendedactions:

  • Thegovernment shouldtrialwhole-of-community approaches inthe mosthighlydisadvantagedcommunities.Thisapproachneedstoworkinpartnershipwiththecommunityinordertolift participationacross the key areas, improve community well-beingandcommunitysafety.
  • Employmentprogramsshouldberequired,whereverpossibletoformpartnershipswithlocalemployers,othertrainingandeducationandcommunity organisations.Inadditionemploymentprogramsneedtoconsiderthe connectionsandnetworksoftheirparticipantsandworktoenhance thoseexistingnetworksandsupports.Employmentprogramsshouldbe resourcestobe abletoworkwiththe individualandtheirfamily toaddressfamilyrelatedissues(egcaringresponsibilities)whichmaypresentbarrierstoemployment.

6Davies,LambDoecke2011,StrategicReviewofEffectiveRe-EngagementModelsforDisengagedLearners, VictorianDepartmentofEducationandEarlyChildhoodDevelopment,

7Nelson,J andO'Donnell,L.2012 Approachesto SupportingYoung PeopleNotinEducation,Employmentor Training:a

Review(NFERResearchProgramme:FromEducationtoEmployment).Slough:NFER,

Demandsideapproaches:Engagingwithemployers

Oneofthekeygapsinthecurrentresponseistheunderdevelopmentofdemand-ledapproachestoemploymentprograms.Overmanyyears,JesuitSocialServiceshasdevelopedanunderstandingofwhatittakestoengagewithemployerstocreateworkopportunitiesforhighlydisadvantagedpeople.ThisincludeslinkingjobstotrainingthroughJesuitCommunityCollege,andtoworkexperienceplacementsthroughourWorkforceInclusionProgram.Alltheseinitiativesrequireinvestmentofresourcesandgoodwillinsupportingjobseekers,buildingtheirskills,andalsoindevelopingthecapabilitiesofemployerstosupportthemtosucceed.

Demand-ledapproachescanaddressdemand-sidebarriers–inthatemployersgettoknowdisadvantagedcandidatesandthiscanworktonegateanynegativeperceptionsaboutcertaingroups(suchasrefugees,olderworkers,long-termunemployed).Italsoallowsemployerstomitigatewhattheymightperceiveasriskinrecruitingcertaingroups.Inthismodeloncethepositionshavebeenidentified,thecommunitypartnerworkstoidentifyandmeettrainingneedsinmatchedemploymentcandidates;andensuresadequatesupporttotransitionsuchpeopletosustainedemployment.

Webelievethatinordertorealisethisapproachforthemostdisadvantagedjobseekersfurtherinvestmentisneeded.Therearechallengesforcommunityagenciesindeliveringthesedemand-ledpartnershipmodels.Currentlytheyarenotwellsupported,theyrequireintensivetimeandfocustobothsupportthecandidatesandtheemployerthroughouttheprocess.Inourexperience,partnershipswithemployerstoidentifyrealrecruitmentopportunitieswithintheirorganisationsneedtobemorefullysupported.

Recommendedactions:

  • Furtherinvestment andfocusisrequiredtodevelopandsupportdemand-ledmodels,fosteringbusinessandcommunity partnershipsinordertobetterprovide forsustainableemploymentoutcomes.
  • OurAAIP model hashadsignificant employment successfor amarginalised group.Thispartnershipmodel shouldbe supportedandcouldbe replicatedinotherareas.

TheAfricanAustralianInclusionProgram(AAIP)

AfricanAustralianInclusionProgram(AAIP)isademand-ledpartnershipmodelinwhichJesuitSocialServicesandtheNationalAustraliaBank(NAB)worktogethertosupportcandidatesandprovidethemwithsixmonthspaid jobplacement.TheneedfortheprogramwasidentifiedbytheAfrican-AustraliancommunitywhonotedthatlackoflocalexperienceintheAustralianbusinesssectorwasasignificantbarriertoemploymentforqualifiedAfrican-Australians.

Theprogramprovidesparticipantswith:

  • Relevantworkexperienceintheirchosenfield
  • Anentrylevelsalary
  • Arangeofskills,trainingandprofessionaldevelopmentworkshopsandopportunities
  • Asupportiveworkplaceenvironmenttoensuresuccessfulcompletionoftheirplacement
  • Aworkplacementortosupportworkplaceperformance
  • Acareercoachtoassistwithbroadercareerdevelopment

TheAAIPwasestablishedin2009andprovidesastrongexampleofsocialandbusinesssectorcollaborationforstrongercollectiveimpact.TheprogramdeliversgenuinesharedvaluebenefittingNAB,theparticipantsandthebroadercommunity.TheprogramhasprovidedrolesinareasincludingFinance,BusinessAdministration,BusinessAnalysis,CorporateResponsibility,ProjectManagement,Marketing,IT,CustomerContactCentre.Todate183participantshavesuccessfullycompletedtheirplacement.Theprogramhasachievedan86percentsuccessrateposttheplacementperiodwithcandidateseitherfindingemploymentattheNABorothercompanies.TheAAIPhasbeenrecognisedwithanumberofawards.

On-the-jobsupport

Inmostinstancesthereisnopost-placementsupportprovidedbyCommonwealthprograms.Inadditioninsomeinstancesyoungpeoplearereferredintoemploymentplacementswithemployerswhotakeadvantageofthem(forexamplerequiringthemtodolonghours,withminimalbreaksbetweenshifts).Thereisgenerallynofollowupfromthejobagencyregardingtherightsandresponsibilitiesofemployers.

Weknowthatfordisadvantagedgroups,jobplacementsupportiscriticaltosustainableemploymentoutcomes.Thisstepismissinginmanyofthecurrentprograms.Onthejobsupportalsoneedstoinvolvesupporttheemployer.Thismightmeanliaisingwiththeemployertohelpthemunderstandtheneedsoftheemployee,howtheycanbestsupportthem,andassistingtheemployerwithanyproblemsthatmightarise.Alltheseactivitiescanhelptoensurethepersonissuccessfulinthepositionandisachievesjobretention.

Recommendedactions:

  • Fundpost jobplacementsupport asacorecomponent of all employment programsfordisadvantagedgroups.

Supported workexperience(workplacements,volunteering andtrainingon thejob)

Inworkplacesurveys,workexperienceisconsistentlyrankedbyemployersasoneofthemostimportantattributeswhenrecruitingstaff.8Theyarereluctanttointerviewpeoplewithoutrelevantexperience,andyettherearefewavailableopportunitiesfordisadvantagedgroupstoacquirethatexperience.Whiletherearesomepromisingworkexperienceprograms forschoolstudents,opportunitiesforthosewhohaveleftschoolareverylimited.

Therequirementforworkexperiencecanaffectpeoplewhohavelonggapsintheiremploymenthistoryandthisplacesthematadisadvantageinthelabourmarket.Theskillsandtheexperiencerequiredbyemployers(suchascommunicationskills,abilitytotakeinstruction,initiative)canbedevelopedthroughtrainingifitiscombinedwith‘real’workexperience.Workexperiencecanalsoprovideanavenuefortrainingon-the-job.Thiscanprovidepeoplewithexperienceandconnectionstotheworkplace sothattheycanbuildtheirconfidenceanddevelopskillsfortheworkplace.TheWorkplaceInclusionProgramatJesuitCommunityCollegeisonesuchexampleofon-the-jobtraining,seeing13highneedslearnersplacedwithemployersin2013-2014.ThroughinitiativessuchasourWorkplaceInclusionprogram,oursocialenterprises,andtheJesuitCommunityCollegeweseektoembedworkexperienceandparticipationopportunitiesinallourwork.Thisprovidesequalfocusonpathwaystoandsustainingpeopleinemployment.

Recommendedactions:

  • Embedworkexperience asapathway toemploymentas akeyfeatureofalltrainingandemploymentprograms.
  • Tobeeffectiveworkexperiencemustbeintegratedintobroaderemploymentpathwayssupport andbe able toprovide appropriatelevelsofsupport toparticipants.

Volunteering

Inourexperiencevolunteeringcanhavepositiveimpactsfordisadvantagedgroupsincludingopeninguppotentialpathwaysintoemployment.Itcanalsorepresentasoftentrypointtoemployment,allowingapersontogainfamiliarlyandconfidenceinaworkplaceenvironment.

Howevertherearechallengestoensuringthatdisadvantagedgroupsgainvaluableexperienceandskillsthatcanprovideapathwaytoemployment.Tobeeffectiveasa

8DepartmentofEmployment2013,Regionalreportsofemployers’recruitmentexperiences

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pathwaytofutureemployment,volunteeringfordisadvantagedgroupsneedstobeembeddedwithinabroadertrainingandemploymentpathwaysprogram,ratherthansimplyasanadd-on.Thereneedstobeaconsideredassessmentoftheperson’sneedsandstrengths.Thevolunteeringexperiencealsoneedstoincludeappropriatesupporttotheperson,pre,postandduringthevolunteeringperiod.

Recommendedactions:

  • Education,trainingandemploymentprogramsshouldpromoteandsupportparticipationinhighquality,well supported volunteeringrolesforhighly disadvantagedgroups.
  • Volunteeringshouldbesupportedasoneoptiontoincreasetheemploymentopportunitiesfordisadvantagedgroups.Howevervolunteeringmustbeembeddedaswithinabroadertraining andemploymentpathwaysapproach,betailoredtheindividual,basedonaconsideredassessment andbe well supported.

Workfor theDoleprograms

WorkfortheDoleprogramshavebeenexpandedundernewCommonwealtharrangements.EligiblejobseekersregisteredwithajobactiveprovidernowneedtoparticipateinWorkfortheDoleoranotherapprovedactivityforsixmonthseachyeartokeepreceivingtheirincomesupportiftheyhavemutualobligationrequirements.

OurorganisationhaspreviouslyexpressedconcernsabouttheeffectivenessofearlieriterationsofWorkfortheDole.Researchhasdemonstratedthatattimesithasfallenshortofsuccessfullydevelopingemployabilityskillsorhelpingparticipantsgainexperienceortrainingthatistransferabletofutureemployment.InadditionDepartmentofEmploymentdatashowsthatforjobseekersin2013-only19.8percentofparticipantsin WorkfortheDoleprogramsfoundafullorpart-timejobwithinthreemonths.Thiscompareswith40.3percentofpeoplewhodidunpaidworkexperience,28.4percentofthosewhocompletedsomeformofworktraining,25.7percentwhoweretrainedinjobsearchtechniques,and21percentofthosewhodidvoluntarywork.9

InourexperienceWorkfortheDolecanbeparticularlyproblematicfor disadvantagedgroupsiftheyarenotprovidedwithwrap-aroundsupports.Thismeansintensivecasemanagement,on-the-jobsupport,pathwaysplanning,andlinkingtoeducationandemploymentopportunitiesposttheWorkfortheDoleperiod.

9GarethHutchens(1August2014).‘NomodellingtoproveAbbott'sdoleplanworks"BrisbaneTimes(FairfaxMedia).

Recommendedactions:

  • Workforthe Doleprogramsmustprovidemeaningfulworkexperience opportunitiesinthe community forall unemployedpeople, andopportunities forparticipants toimproveboth their ‘soft’employmentskillsaswellastheirfunctionalvocational skill levelsotherwisethereisarealriskof delayingotherworkopportunities andtherebyreducingemploymentoutcomes.
  • Tobe effective andworthwhilefordisadvantagedparticipantsWorkforthe Doleprogramsmustprovideparticipantswithintensivecasemanagement,wrap-aroundsupports,educationand trainingopportunities,employmentpathwaysplanning,ongoingsupportposttheemploymentperiod.

Better employment-relatedsupportforyoung people in thejusticesystem

JesuitSocialServices,throughourBrosnanservicesdeliversarangeofprogramstoyoungpeoplewhointersectwiththecriminaljusticesystemincludingtheYouthJusticeCommunitySupportService(YJCSS).Thisprogramprovidesanintegratedapproachtotheprovisionofintensivesupportandservicestoyoungpeopleinthejusticesystem tocomplementthestatutorycasemanagementundertakenbyYouthJusticeUnits.Theservicehasbeendevelopedrecognisingthatyoungpeopleinthejusticesystempresentwitharangeofcomplexandvariedneedsthatrequireanindividualisedserviceresponse.

OurYJCSSstaffareawareofthespecificdifficultiesforyoungpeopleinthejusticesystemtoaccessemploymentopportunities.Inourexperiencemainstreamemploymentprogramsaregenerallynotabletorespondtothecomplexneedsofthiscohort.Reengagingtheseyoungpeopleineducationandemploymentiscriticaltotheirfutureoutcomes.

Researchconsistentlyshowsthatthemajorityofpeopleinvolvedinthejusticesystemhaveloweducationlevelsandoftencomefrombackgroundsofentrencheddisadvantage.10Inadditionmostarenotineducationoremployment.Theymayalsobestrugglingwitharangeofotherdifficultiesincludingmentalhealthproblems,substanceabuse,andlackconfidenceinmanyareasoftheirlives.Moreoftentheyhaveabackgroundofearlydisengagementfromschooling,andhavehadmanynegativeeducationexperiences.

Further,statisticsshowsthat:

  • InVictorialessthan7%ofadultmaleprisonerpopulation haveasecondary,tradeortertiaryeducation
  • Around90%ofmaleprisonersand80%offemaleprisonershavenotcompletedsecondaryschooling
  • 60%ofmaleprisonersand76%offemaleprisonerswereunemployedwhentheyenteredcustody.

JesuitSocialServicesthroughJesuitCommunityCollegedeliversanumberofvocationalpathwayprogramsforpeopleonCCOs,aswellaspeopleexitingdetentionfromtheDamePhyllisFrostCentre(DPFC)andtheJudyLazarusTransitionCentre(JLTC).Ourprogramstaffseefirsthandthetransformativevalueofcommunityworkprogramsthatarebuiltaroundeducationandlearningmodels.

Inthedeliveryofourprograms(inpartnershipwithCorrectionsVictoria),weseektoensurethatnotonlydoparticipantsfulfiltheirobligationsto‘repaythecommunity’,butthatthey

10Australian Instituteof Health and Welfare, TheHealthof Australia’sprisoners, 2012,

alsogainincreasedskills,bothvocationalaswellaspersonalandsocialskills,togetherwithabetterunderstandingandabilitytocontinuetopursuepositivelifeandemploymentchoices.AnumberofourprogramsoverthepastthreeandahalfyearshavebeenrecognisedasexemplaryprojectsthroughtheDepartment’sCommunityWorkAwards(seeAppendix1foradescriptionoftwooftheseprograms).

1.Assessmenttoensurethetrainingprogramisatanappropriatelevelforeachparticipant

2.Trainingistailoredinaccordwiththeskillsandworkexperienceofparticipantsandtheopportunitiesavailableintheparticularcommunityworkproject

3.Outcomessoughtforeachparticipantincludeboththeirtrainingandworkexperience,theopportunitytoprogresstofurtheraccreditedornon-accreditedtrainingandemployment

4.ProvisionofaVocationalPathwaysPlanandsupportforparticipantstoassisttheirfurthereducation,trainingandemployment,followingthecompletionoftheircommunityworkhours.

Recommendedactions:

In orderto enhance theresponseto thiscohortand providestrongerpathways toemploymentwerecommend:

  • Enhancing work trainingsupportfromcustodytothecommunity,includingbetteruseoftargetedtraining opportunities in custody.
  • Building strongerrelationshipsbetweeneducation and employmentprovidersincustodialsettingsto prepareyoung peoplefor training and oremploymentontheirrelease.
  • Providing flexibleemployment opportunitiesforparticipants to ‘transition’intowork–theSentencedto a Job foradultoffendersin thenorthernTerritoryis onesuchmodel.
  • Developing partnershipswithsympatheticemployerswho havecapacity tosupporta plannedtransitionto a working environment.Thisshould becharacterisedby a flexibleapproach, withaccess to after-hoursandweekendsupportandwitha degreeofflexibilityand understanding inrelation toregularattendance.
  • Funding to enableyoungpeopleto haveadditionalsupportthroughinitialemploymentstageincluding after-hourssupport.
  • Providing flexiblefunding forYJCSS to assistyoung peopleto prepareand be moreworkready(i.e.workclothesand OHS training red cards,myki)
  • Providing targetedopportunitiesfor this cohortto accessapprenticeships.
  • Increasing theaccesstoL2P, a driving programforyoung people to gain theirlicense and thefreedomto travelto differentworklocations,inthenorthand westregions.

Softentry,intensive,relationship-basedapproachesworkwellfordisadvantagedunemployedclients

Softentryapproachesand flexiblelearningenvironments

Forvulnerableanddisadvantagedgroupssoftentriespointstoeducation,trainingandeventualemploymentarecriticaltofacilitatingtheirparticipation.Manydisadvantagedgroupsdonothavetheconfidenceorknowledgetoaccesslargeeducationalortraininginstitutions,anddonotfeelpreparedtoaccessmainstreamemploymentprograms.Softentrypointsarelocal,welcoming,non-threateningenvironmentsthatengagepeopleinarangeofeducationally-relatedactivities.Byworkingwithpeopleinthecontextofartandmusic forexample,createsopportunitiesforbuildingrelationshipsandtrust.Theuseoftastercoursesaspartofinitialengagementstrategies,enablestudentstotryoutaneducationand trainingoptionwithlittlecommitment,boostinglearnerconfidenceandself-esteem.11JesuitCommunityCollegemakesuseofthetastercoursestrategythroughprogramssuchasourReady,SetprogramssuchasReadySet,Work–Computers,Ready,Set,BaristaorReady,SetWorkAgedCare.

Softentrypointsalsogenerallyprovideflexiblelearningenvironmentsinordertoretaintheengagementofparticipants.Thismeansthatteachingmethodscanincludeteachingexperimentallythroughsportordrama.Inadditionsuchapproachescreateopportunitiestocelebratestudents’achievementsandthisworkstobuildstudentconfidenceandself-esteemineducationalenvironments.Apositiveandwelcomingclassroomwhichmakesthelearnerfeelcomfortablecanalsomakestudentsfeelrespectedandcountertheirnegativeattitudestoeducation.

Recommendedactions:

  • Education,trainingandemploymentprogramsfor disadvantagedgroupsneedstoprovidesoft entrypointsthat combine flexible educationaldeliverytobuildtheconfidenceofdisadvantagedgroupsandprovide apathway tofurthereducation,trainingandemployment.

IntensiveandSustainedEngagement

Short-termapproachestoemploymentassistanceareineffectivewithvulnerableanddisadvantagedpeople.Undercurrentarrangementsmanyprogramsarefundedasshort-termmodels,withlimitedadditionalsupport.

Arelationshipneedstobebuiltwiththe personparticularlyintheinitialstages,inordertofullyidentifytheperson’sbarrierstoemployment.Buildingpositiverelationshipsplaysacrucialrolewhenengagingdisadvantagedgroups.Byengagingandsupportingvulnerableanddisadvantagedgroups,througharelationshipbuiltovertime,thiscanhelptorestoretheirconfidenceandtrustineducationandemploymentenvironments.

11NechvoglodBeddie2010,Hardtoreachlearners:Whatworksinreachingandkeepingthem?Published by:Adult,CommunityandFurtherEducationBoardLevel10,Melbourne

Outreachworkersarealsoimportantinbeingabletoconnectwithhard-to-reachgroups,helpingthemtonavigateeducationandtrainingsystems,suggestingsoftentrypointsandguidingthemthroughsystemsandsupports.

Recommendedactions:

  • Providefundingsothatstaffcanprovidesupportive relationships andintensive supportoveralongerperiod,inordertoaddressthebarrierstolearningand employment, whilstguidingthe individualtorecognise theirstrengthsandassistwiththeiremploymentpathwayplanning.

Embedding literacyandnumeracy

AustralianBureauofStatisticssurveyshowsthat46percentoftheVictorianworkingpopulationdonothavethenecessaryliteracyskillstoengagecompetentlyinworkand54percentdonothavethenecessarynumeracyskillseither.12ExperiencingliteracyandnumeracychallengesisalsocommonamongstthoseaccessingLearnLocalorganisations,impacting65percentofthelearnerbody.13Lackingthenecessaryfoundationalskillsfortheworkplacenotonlyhindersemploymentprospectsbutalsorestrictseducationaloptionsforhardtoreachlearners.

Embeddingliteracyandnumeracyintoeducationandemploymentrelatedprogramsisanimportantelementthatneedstobebuiltintoemployment-relatedprograms.Forexample,theJesuitCommunityCollegeproject,inourcommunityworkprogram,BullyZero,literacyandnumeracywereembeddedintotheprogram.Theactivitiesoftheprograminvolvepractisingliteracyandnumeracyskills,andparticipantscompletedunitsoftheGeneralCertificateofEducationforAdults.Enhancingtheirliteracyandnumeracyofparticipantsrequiresskilledassessmentofliteracyandnumeracyissues,sensitivebestpracticeteachingapproachesusingevidence-basedmethods.

Recommendedactions:

  • Literacyandnumeracyshouldbeintegratedintoeducationandemploymentrelatedprogramsfordisadvantagedgroups.
  • Literacyandnumeracymustinvolveexpertandsensitiveassessment,be culturallyinclusive andbasedonbest practice principles.

Mentoring andvolunteer support

Anumberofourprogramsusementoringsupportinrecognitionofthevalueforprogramparticipantsreceivingthatone-on-onesupport.Mentoringrepresentsacost-effectivemodelasitsupportsexperiencedandskilledpeopleasvolunteerswhohaveacommitmenttotheparticipants.

12AustralianBureauofStatistics2009,AdultLiteracyandLifeSkillsSurvey(ALLS)

13EllumL &Longmuir F,2013, ADifferentJourney,YouthinLearnLocalsResearchReport(astudy ofthesouthernregionofmetropolitanMelbourne)SouthernMetropolitanRegionalCouncilofAdult Communityand FurtherEducation.

Mentorscanbeanimportantcomponentatallstagesofaneducationandemploymentpathwaysprogram.Inourexperiencementoringcanhaveasignificantimpactonhowwellapersontransitionstofurthertrainingoremployment,improvingtheirconfidencein pursuingfurtheropportunities.Careermentoringcanassiststudentsindevelopingtheirideasandcareerplanningwhilstimprovingawarenessaroundeducationandemploymentopportunities.Mentoringcanalsobeimportantinthelearningandtrainingenvironment,whereamentorcanencourageastudent’slearningbytutoringthemonasubjectforwhichtheyneedadditionalsupport.Mentoringcanalsobeaanimportantelementinthetransitiontoemployment,providinginformalsupportasapersonnavigatestheirwaythroughthefirstfewmonthsofanewpositionorworkexperience.

Whilementoringcanaddtothecapacityofemployment-relatedprogramstosupportdisadvantagedparticipantstheymustbeofhighqualityinordertoprovideeffectiveandvaluablesupport.Thisrequiresrequireadequatecoordinationresourcesandsupportforthementors.Therealsoneedstobeskilledassessmentandmatchingofmentortoparticipant.

Recommendedactions:

  • Employmentrelatedprogramsshouldincludementoringsupporttoassistdisadvantagedgroupsintoemployment.
  • Tobeeffectivementoringcomponentsofemploymentprogramsmust befundedforcoordinationandsupport tomentors.

MentoringprogramsatJesuitSocialServices

Anumberofourprogramsenlistmentorstosupportourparticipantsincluding:

  • JesuitCommunityCollegeinitsprogramsforhighlydisadvantagedlearnersJesuitCommunityCollegeprovidesindividualparticipantswithaccesstoamentorandcoachtosupporttheirlearningthroughtheuseofalargenetworkofhighlyskilledvolunteers.
  • TheL2PprogrammanagedbyBrosnanYouthServices.ForyoungpeopleinYouthJusticeandChildProtectionprograms,tosupportthemtoassistthemtocompletetherequired120hoursofdrivingpracticepriortotakingtheirProbationaryLicensetest.VolunteersundertaketrainingdesignedbyVicRoadsandtrainingbyBrosnanYouthServicesonhowtoworkwithhighriskyoungpeople.
  • TheAfricanVisitationandMentoringProgram(AVAMP)runfromtheBrosnanCentreinBrunswick.ItisaninitiativedeliveredbytheJesuitSocialServicesinpartnershipwithCorrectionsVictoria,providingmentoringsupporttopeoplefromanAfricanbackgroundwhohavebeenimprisonedintheMelbourneregion.
  • TheLeavingCareMentoringprogramisaimedatprovidingextendedcommunitysupporttoyoungpeopleinvolvedintheChildProtectionsystem,whoresideinresidentialorhomebasedcareandaresoontobetransitioningintoindependentliving.

Earlyinterventionto preventandreducelong-termunemployment

InVictoria,morethan36,000youngpeopleaged15-19(about10percent)arenotineducation,trainingoremployment.InadditionaroundoneinfiveyoungpeopleleaveschoolbeforecompletingYear12.14Almosthalfoftheseyoungpeopleendupmarginalised

14VictorianAuditorGeneralReport2012,StudentCompletionRates,

inthelabourforce,eitherinpart-timeemploymentoroutofwork.Childrenfromdisadvantagedbackgroundsareover-representedamongearlyschoolleavers,withalowerrateofyear12completion.Researchshowsthatearlyschoolleaversaretwoandahalf timesmorelikelytoexperiencedeepsocialexclusionthanthosewhocompleteYear12.15

JesuitSocialServicessupportsanearlyinterventionapproachtoearlyschoolleaving.Fundingneedstobeprovidedforoutreachworkerstoreengagestudentsineducationandtraining,andrespondtothecauseoftheirdisengagementpromptly,tominimisetheexacerbationofbarrierstolearning.Inadditionstudentsatriskofdisengagingneedtobeidentifiedandthereneedstobeamorediverserangeofschoolingmodelssothatwecanretainvulnerablestudentsintheschoolingsystem.Therearecleareconomicbenefitstoinvestinginprogramsthatpromoteschoolretention.Ananalysisofoneprogramthatsupportsyear12completion,HandsonLearning,revealeda$12returnforevery$1ofinvestment.16

Recommendedactions:

Keepvulnerable childrenandyoungpeople engagedinlearningbyfunding area-basedworkerstofollowupwiththosewhodisengage andmatchthemtolearningopportunities.

15BrotherhoodofStLaurencetheMelbourneInstitute, theSocial ExclusionMonitor,

16DeloitteAccessEconomics,TheSocio-economicbenefitsofinvestinginthepreventionofearly schoolleaving,prepared

forHandsonLearningAustralia, 2012.

Table2:Summaryoftheelementsrequiredtosupportdisadvantagedgroupsintoemployment

Soft-entryapproaches /
  • Local,welcomingenvironments thatprovidecoursetasters andengagement and encouragement in learning andprovidepathwaysto employment.

Place-based services /
  • Providing programs inareas of disadvantage,thatcanprovideacollectiveimpactontherange of factorsthat leadtounemployment.
  • Strong connectionswith localemployersabouttheirlabourrequirements
  • Gaining local businessandlabourmarketknowledge

Intensive and sustainedsupportwithwraparound services /
  • Building a trusting relationship with participantstore-engagethemin learning as partofapathwaytoemployment
  • Programsthatcan linktoarange ofsupportsand takeanindividualisedapproach.

Job readinesstrainingand assistance /
  • Training programstodevelop jobreadinessandtheskillsneededtoidentify,secureand retaina job
  • Foundation skillsincludingliteracy,numeracy andITskills(whereneeded)
  • Reinforcing personalskillssuch as teamwork,communication,customerandbusinessawareness

Mentoring /
  • Match peoplewithvolunteermentorstosupportanddevelop aemployability
  • Accessto networksand employmentopportunities
  • Mentoring in employment,providing supportfortheindividualtoretainemployment.

Supportedworkexperience /
  • Embedding workexperience in training andemploymentprograms
  • Providing a rangeofworkexperienceopportunities,worktasters,volunteerwork.
  • Structured workexperience(tiedtoaccreditedtraining)connectedtocareergoals
  • Building an understanding of workplaceexpectationsandculture

Demand side-engagingwithemployers /
  • Partnershipsbetweencommunityorganisations andbusinesstosupportdisadvantaged groups into employment
  • Learning aboutwhatemployerswantfromtheirworkers
  • Basedon identifiedvacancies,providing jobreadinessassistanceandon-the-job support

Education and trainingaspathwaystoemployment /
  • Assistanceto find full-timeand part-timejobs
  • Field supportandmentoring tohelp young peopleretaintheirjob
  • Entryintofurtherlabourmarketprograms ifworkskillsstillneed tobedeveloped
  • Useof wagesubsidieswhereappropriate

Integration,collaborationandtransition

Relationshipsbetweenourprogramsandcommonwealthemployerproviders

Anumberofourprogramstaffliaisewithjobactiveproviderswithregardstoourparticipants.Thiscanbeinrelationtoassessingaparticipantforworkinginoursocialenterprisecafes,oritmayinvolveadvocatingornegotiatingwithjobactiveorCentrelinkstaffonbehalfofourparticipants.Inourexperiencetherecanoftenbeaninconsistentresponsefromjobactivestaffandwherewedohavegoodcollaborativerelationshipsthisis oftendependentontheindividualjobactivestaffandtheircommitmenttooursharedclient/participant.

Toensureintegration,collaborationandtransitionthereneedstobememorandumsofagreementbetweentheCommonwealthandStateGovernments,andbetweenindividualjobactiveagenciesandStatefundedprogramsastotheirrespectiverolesandtherelevantapplicationofresources.InthesituationwherethejobactiveagencyandtheStateprogramhaveasharedparticipant,CommonwealthandStatefundedprogramsshouldbecomplementaryinthesupporttheyprovide,forexampleastateprogramwouldonly supporttheindividualinneedsareasnotabletobesupportedthroughtheCommonwealthprograms.

Recommendedactions:

  • TheStateandCommonwealthGovernmentsdevelopMemorandumsofUnderstandingbetweentheGovernmentsandbetweenjobactiveprovidersandStateemploymentprogramstoensurethe complementaryuse of resourcesinthe eventofjoint support of aVictorianprogramparticipant.

Supportfor socialenterprises

Theopenlabourmarketcanoftenexcludepeoplewithlimitedexperienceor thosenotconsidered‘job-ready’.Socialenterprisesprovidehands-onworkexperienceinareallife

workingenvironmenttoassistdisadvantagedjobseekerswithenteringintotheworkforce.

Oursocialenterprisecafes(IgnitecafesinHawthornandCamberwell)providepracticalprogramssupportingpeoplewhoarelong-termunemployedtolearn,trainandtake-upemploymentopportunitiessotheymayrealisetheirpotentialandbeactive,contributingandvaluedmembersofthecommunity.Participantsgainexperienceinbothback-of-house andfront-of-househospitalityservices,andsomewillcompleteaccreditedcoursesthroughJesuitCommunityCollege.Ourcafékitchengardenprojectcombinesthegrowingof organicproducewiththishandsonexperienceofworkinginacaféandkitchen.Thisprocessembracesecologicallysustainableandresponsiblepracticesandprovidesparticipantswithaholisticapproachtothefoodindustry.

Theexperienceofworkingwithinthesocialenterprisecafésnotonlyprovidesparticipantswithexperienceandtraininginthehospitalityandcustomerservicebutalsohelpstodevelopsoftskillssuchasteamwork,communication,languageandinterpersonalskills.Theseprogramsareoftenasteppingstonetotheopenmarketemployment.

Participantsarereferredtoourprogramthroughavarietyofchannels,includingjobactiveproviders.Someofourparticipantsarevolunteersandotherscometotheprogramaspart ofWorkfortheDolerequirements.Ourparticipantcoordinatorprovidescasemanagementsupporttoparticipants,andhasbuiltstrongrelationshipswiththejobactiveWorkfortheDolecoordinator,oureducationandtrainingprograms,othercommunitysupports,localcouncilandlocalemployers.

Inourexperienceforasocialenterprisetobeaneffectivemodelleadingtosustainablelonger-termemploymentoutcomes,participantsneed:

  • Initialassessmentofsuitability
  • Intensivecasemanagementsupportthroughouttheirworkexperience
  • Accesstotrainingandothersupports
  • Coachingandintensivesupporton-the-job
  • Postplacementsupportandfollowup

Wellrunsocialenterprisescanprovidevaluableworkexperiencetodisadvantagedgroups,increasingconfidenceandskillsthatcanhelptobreakthecycleofunemployment.

Howeversocialenterprisescanfacemanychallengesandoperateinacompetitivebusinessenvironment.Mostsocialenterprisesarenotprovidedwithanybaselinefundingandoftenstartupthroughthegenerousdonationsandeffortsoflocalcommunities,localcouncils,not-for-profitorganisations,andbusinesses(whomaydonatetime,premises,equipment).Inourexperiencesocialenterprisescantakeupwardsoftwoyearstobecomefinanciallyself-sufficient.Tobefinanciallyviablesocialenterprisesneedinvestment duringtheestablishmentperiodandrequiresintensivecasemanagementsupportforparticipants.

Recommendedactions:

  • Government,businessandthe communitysectorshouldinvest inthedevelopment ofsocialenterprisesthroughfundingemergingorganisationsandusingtheir purchasingpowerthroughsocialprocurementpolicies.
  • Socialenterprisesthat take onhighlydisadvantagedgroupsshouldbe providedwith casemanagementfunding.
  • Governmentshouldinvestintheestablishment phaseof soundandwell-runsocialenterprisesthat understandboththe needsof disadvantagedparticipantsandtherealitiesofthecompetitivebusinessenvironment.

Appendix1:JesuitSocialServicesprograms

Justiceandcrimepreventionprograms

AfricanVisitationandMentoringProgram(AVAMP)

TheAfricanVisitationandMentoringProgram(AVAMP)isrunfromtheBrosnanCentreinBrunswick.ItisaninitiativedeliveredbytheJesuitSocialServicesinpartnershipwithCorrectionsVictoria,providingmentoringsupporttopeoplefromanAfricanbackgroundwhohavebeenimprisonedintheMelbourneregion.

BrosnanServices

BrosnanServicesisaholisticsupportserviceforyoungpeopleexitingadultprisonsand/orYouthJusticecentres,whoareassessedashighrisk/need,withlimitedsocialandfamilynetworks,limitedaccommodationandpostreleasesupportoptionsandexperiencingmultipleandcomplexhealthproblems.

Brosnanstaffdeliverqualityprogramsinamannerthatreflectsthesocialjusticeprinciplesofparticipation,equity,accessandrespect.Servicesinclude:intensiveoutreachsupport,casemanagement,supportedaccommodation,drugandalcoholcounselling,recreationprograms,employment/trainingprograms,24/7afterhoursemergencyassistanceanddutyworkandreferralservice.

CorrectionsVictoriaReintegrationProgram

JesuitSocialServicesdeliverspost-releasesupporttopeopleexitingprisoninthenorthandwestofMelbourneaspartoftheCorrectionsVictoriaReintegrationProgram(CVRP).

TheCVRPprogramprovidesvoluntary,targetedpost-releasesupportforupto12monthstohighrisk/complexneedsandhighprofileoffendingmenandwomen.Supportprovidedusesanindividuallytailored,casemanagementapproachthataddresseskeydomainsincluding;housingandmaterialsupports,assistancewithfamilyreunification,day-of-releasesupport,referraltospecialistservices(suchasdrugandalcoholcounsellingemployment/trainingprograms,supportedaccommodation)and24/7afterhoursemergencyassistanceandreferralservice.

Nextsteps

NextStepsisaHomelessnessInnovationActionProjectthataimstopreventhomelessnessforhighlyvulnerableyoungpeople16-24whointersectwiththeyouthjusticeoradultjusticesystems.NextStepsdeliversintensive,multicomponentcasemanagementsupportthataddressestheissuesofhomelessnessandoffending,incorporatingtherapeuticelementsandlinkstotraining,vocationalandemploymentservices.

BasedinCarlton,DillonHouse,isthesupportedaccommodationcomponentofNextSteps,andprovidestemporary,short-termortransitional24hoursupportedaccommodationforyoungpeopleinvolvedincorrectionsortheyouthjusticesystem.

YouthJusticeCommunitySupportServices

TheYouthJusticeCommunitySupportProgramprovidesintensivecasemanagementforyoungpeopleaged10-21engagedwiththejusticesystem.OurapproachbringstogetheragenciescurrentlysupportingYouthJusticeclientstoworkalongsidestatutoryYouthJusticeCaseManagersto:

  • achieveareductionintherate,severityandfrequencyofre-offending
  • enableyoungpeopletomakeaneffectivetransitiontoadulthood,and
  • developyoungpeople'scapacityforeconomic,socialandculturalparticipation

YouthJusticeGroupConferencing

YouthJusticeGroupConferencingisasentencingoptionbasedonrestorativejusticeprinciplesthataimstobalancetheneedsofyoungpeople,victimsandthecommunitybyencouragingdialogueinacontrolledandstructuredwaybetweenindividualswhohaveoffended,theirvictimsandthewidercommunity.YoungpeoplewhocanbereferredtoYouthJusticeGroupConferencingincludeyoungpeopleaged10to17(atthetimeofoffending)whohave:

  • pleadedguiltyorhavebeenfoundguiltyofoffence(s)thatdonotincludehomicide,manslaughter,sexoffences;and
  • appearedincourtonapreviousoccasionandhavecommittedoffence(s)seriousenoughtowarrantasupervisoryorder(primarilyaprobationorder)tobeconsideredbythecourt;or
  • havecommittedoffence(s)seriousenoughtowarrantasupervisoryorderontheirfirstappearance;and
  • consentedtoparticipate;and
  • beenassessedassuitablebyaDHHSYouthJusticeOfficer.

Education,trainingandemployment

TheArtfulDodgersStudios

TheArtfulDodgersStudiosprovideinnovativeandcreativespacesforyoungpeopletoworkinfullyequippedartandmusicstudioswithexperiencedartistsandmusicians.Exploringanddevelopingtheircreativeskillsandgettinginvolvedinprojects,exhibitionsandpublicoutcomeevents.

BasedinCollingwoodtheprogramoffersaflexibleandwelcomingspaceforyoungpeopletoworkinordertoincreasesocialconnectedness,self-esteem,foundationandemployabilityskillsandre-engagepositivelyinthelearningprocess.Youngpeoplecanchoosewhethertoengageinashortcourse,oneononementoring,dropintotheopenaccessstudiostoworkonindividualorcollaborativeprojectsoracombinationofthesebasedonreadiness.

AfricanAustralianInclusionProgram

TheAfricanAustralianInclusionProgram(AAIP)isapartnershipbetweenJesuitSocial ServicesandtheNationalAustraliaBankthatprovidespaidworkexperienceplacementsforpeoplefromAfricancommunities.TheAAIPisadynamicandhighlyprofessionalprogramforqualifiedAfrican-Australiansproviding6monthspaidworkingexperienceatNationalAustraliaBank(NAB).

TheneedfortheprogramwasidentifiedbytheAfrican-AustraliancommunitywhonotedthatlackoflocalexperienceintheAustralianbusinesssectorwasasignificantbarriertoemploymentforqualifiedAfrican-Australians.TheAAIPhasbeenrecognisedwithanumberofawards.

CommunityFuturesprogram

CommunityFuturesprogramatJesuitCommunityCollegeprovidesopportunitiesforrecentarrivalstoengagewiththeirlocalcommunityasvolunteersanddevelopskillsthatcanlead tofurtherstudyoremploymentinthecommunitysector.DeliveringCertificateIinActiveVolunteeringwithanESLfocus,JesuitCommunityCollegefocusesonimprovinglearners’language,literacyandcommunicationskillsthroughvolunteering,topromoteinclusion,buildtheirpersonalconfidence,highlightthevaluetheycanaddtotheircommunityandenhancetheircapacitytointeractandengagewithabroadrangeofpeopleinthecommunity.Emphasisisplacedonprovidinginnovative,flexibleandsupportedtrainingtomeet individuallearnerneedsandpreparinglearnersformorefulfillinginvolvementintheircommunityand/orfurtherstudy

CommunityWorkPrograms

JesuitSocialServicesthroughJesuitCommunityCollegehasdevelopedandisdeliveringanincreasingnumberofvocationalpathwayprogramsforpeopleonCommunityServiceOrders,aswellaspeopleexitingdetentionfromtheDamePhyllisFrostCentre(DPFC)andtheJudyLazarusTransitionCentre(JLTC).

TheseinitiativeshavebeenrecognisedasdeliveringsignificantbenefitsbothtotheDepartmentofJusticeandRegulationandtheindividualparticipants.AnumberoftheprogramswhichhavebeendevelopedforpeopleonCommunityServiceOrdersoverthepastthreeandahalfyearshavealsobeenrecognisedasexemplaryprojectsthroughtheDepartment’sCommunityWorkAwards.

JesuitCommunityCollege

JesuitCommunityCollegeisaRegisteredTrainingOrganisationandLearnLocalorganisation.Weassistpeoplefacingsignificantbarrierstolearning,providingrealskillsforlife,learningandwork.TheCollegealsoprovidesopportunitiesforpersonaldevelopment,asolidfoundation forfurthereducationandtrainingandconnectiontoacommunityoflearning.

Forabroadergroupoflearners,weofferawiderrangeofaccreditedandnon-accreditedvocationaleducationandtrainingandpathwaystofurtherstudyandwork.TheCollegealsobrokersopportunitiesforlearnerstoaccesstrainingofferedbyothertrainingorganisationsinwaysthatsuittheirneedsandcircumstances

Weoffernationallyrecognisedqualificationsingeneraleducationforadults,shortcoursesinvisualartsandpre-vocationalprograms.JesuitCommunityCollegeisfundedbytheVictorianandFederalGovernmentforeligiblestudentenrolmentsinpreaccreditedandaccreditedtraining.PeoplewithadisabilityareencouragedtoapplyundertheVictorianTrainingGuaranteeandLearnLocalACFEprograms.

Socialenterprises-IgniteCafés

OurIgniteCafeslocatedinHawthornandCamberwellare'livingclassrooms'wherepeoplegainon-the-job,realworkexperiencesandcertifiedtraining.Throughourcafesparticipantscangainexperienceinbothback-of-houseandfront-of-househospitalityserviceswhilecompletingaccreditedcoursesthroughJesuitCommunityCollege.

TheOutdoorExperience

Offeringanalternativetreatmentservicethrougharangeofoutdoorinterventionprogramsforyoungpeopleaged15–25years,whohaveorhavehadproblemswithalcoholand/orotherdrugs.Since1985,TheOutdoorExperience(TOE)hasbeenofferingarangeofOutdoorAdventureInterventionprogramsforyoungpeopleaged15-25years.

Duringtheprogram,participantssetpersonalgoalsfortheprogram;learnteamwork;gainanunderstandingofmanyaspectsof"safety";takeupthechallengesofoutdooradventure;acquirelivingskills;enjoyasenseofhealthandwellbeing;andareencouragedtotakecontrolandmakedecisionsabouttheprogramming.YoungpeoplearesupportedtodealwithandreflectuponthedifficultlifecircumstancesthatmayhavebroughtthemtoTOE.Theseprogramsassistyoungpeopletorecognisetheirownstrengthsandtomakechangesthatarevaluableineverydaylife.

L2P

TheL2PprogrammanagedbyJesuitSocialServices,BrosnanYouthServiceswascreatedforyoungpeopleinvolvedwithSouthernMelbourneMetropolitanRegionYouthJusticeandChildProtectionprograms.JesuitSocialServices,BrosnanYouthServiceshasfundingfromVicRoadsthroughDepartmentofHumanServicestosupport25youngpeopletoaccesssuperviseddrivingpracticetoassistthemtocompletetherequired120hoursofdrivingpracticepriortotakingtheirProbationaryLicensetest.DepartmentofHumanServiceshasfundedthepurchaseofthe5starANCAPratedvehicletobeusedforthisinitiative.ThevehicleishousedattheCityofGreaterDandenong.

ThevolunteerdriversarecoveredforliabilitythroughJesuitSocialServicesbybecomingregisteredvolunteerswiththeorganisation.Volunteersaretoundergoaselectionprocessincludinganinterview,aPoliceCheck,WorkingwithChildrenCheck,VicRoadsDriverHistoryReportandreferencecheckstoassesstheirsuitabilitytobeinavehiclewithyounglearnerdrivers.VolunteerdriversaretoundertaketrainingdesignedbyVicRoadstoassistthemwiththemanagementofthelearnerdriverandtogivethemabetterunderstandingoftheaimsoftheprogramandrequirementsofasupervisingdriverontheroad.SeparatetrainingisrunbyJesuitSocialServices,BrosnanYouthServicesandcovershowtoworkwithhighriskyoungpeople,howtoengagethemandhowtoputboundariesinplace.

MentalHealthandWellbeing

Connexions

ConnexionswasestablishedinJanuary1995asaresponsetoyoungpeopleexperiencingco-existingmentalhealthanddrugandalcoholissues.Connexionsisacounsellingprogramsforyoungpeoplewitha"dualdiagnosis"ofmentalillnessandsubstancemisuse.Diagnosiscanbeformalorselfreported.

SupportAfterSuicide

FormedinJuly2004,SupportAfterSuicideisaprogramdevelopedspecificallyforpeoplebereavedbysuicide.Theprogramprovidessupporttoindividuals,familiesandchildrenwhoarebereavedbysuicideandhasalsodevelopedarangeofresourcesandmaterialstoassistthosewhoarebereaved.Theprogramalsoprovideseducationandtrainingtohealth,welfareandeducationprofessionalsabouthowtoeffectivelyandsensitivelysupport

thosewhoarebereaved.

Settlementand community building

SettlementServices

JesuitSocialServiceshasprovidedsettlementservicestoasylumseekercommunitiesontheFlemingtonpublichousingestateforovertenyearsandinStAlbanssince2010.ServicesfocusonsupportingpeoplefrommigrantbackgroundstointegrateintoAustraliansocietywhilekeepingintouchwiththeirculturalbackgrounds.

Theprogramfollowsastrengths-basedapproach,acknowledgingandbuildingonparticipantandcommunityskillsandknowledge.Theprogramconductsanumberofactivitieswithinacommunitydevelopmentframeworkincluding:

  • caseworkandreferralstohelpstrengthenparticipant'sabilityandconfidencetoaccesssupportservicesanddevelopindependence
  • informationsessionsdesignedtoprovideincreasedknowledgeandunderstandingofissuesfacingparticipants
  • basicskillstrainingandworkexperienceopportunitiestovolunteersaspartofavolunteersprogram
  • communityadvocacytostrengthenrelationshipsbetweenpolice,leadersinthecommunityandcommunitymembers,and
  • HomeworkClubontheFlemingtonhousingestateforprimaryandsecondaryschoolstudents.