IN response to the State\u2019s recent economic downturn, three thousand more jobs are set to be created as a part of a Victorian government employment package.<\/p>\n
The announcement is part of a $500 million initiative called Working for Victoria and aimed at helping those impacted by the bushfires and COVID-19.<\/p>\n
Since its inception, Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford said the program has helped 8500 people find new jobs across Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe work with community organisations, local councils, multi-cultural organisations and youth services to provide pathways to work for people who have found themselves out of work due to the dramatic shift in economic activity in recent months,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been a surge in demand for critical services, so Working for Victoria is about matching people who are needing new work opportunities with areas of demand in front line response.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the height of the pandemic, Kitti Pak Smith lost her cleaning job at the RACV Goldfields Resort in Creswick.<\/p>\n
She registered for a job on the Working for Victoria Sidekicker platform and was thrilled when she was offered cleaning work at Ballarat Work and Learning Centre.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was so happy because I get to help the centre keep its facilities clean, which is even more important during this coronavirus time,\u201d Ms Pak Smith said. \u201cThis job has helped me pay the rent, bills and look after my family.<\/p>\n
After leaving the workforce to have children Ballarat resident Donna Tucker returned to study a bachelor of human and community services.<\/p>\n
Towards the end of her degree she found herself daunted by the job industry considering her 10-year gap in her resume and the economic situation due to COVID-19.<\/p>\n