A CITY of Greater Geelong project is creating more chances for residents to gain the confidence and skills they need to re-enter the workforce.
\nOpportunity East is an Education to Employment project, funded by Skilling the Bay and led by the City of Greater Geelong, that is part of the Whittington Works Alliance.
\nIt supports people through reskilling, retraining and rebuilding their confidence so they are best placed to access future opportunities.
\nThrough supportive, safe and subsidised programs, Opportunity East helps residents\u2019 transition into further study or to find employment in their chosen field, with the support of regional employers.
\nWhittington\u2019s Alana Arbuthnot is currently undertaking Opportunity East\u2019s Certificate II in Production Horticulture course.
\nThe 46-year-old has largely been out of the workforce for 15 years, as she focused on caring for her three children, including two who have a disability.
\nA return to her former career was not an option, with her cinema projectionist role made redundant due to advances in technology.
\nMrs Arbuthnot was looking to build on her one day per week casual work in IT when she discovered the Production Horticulture course.
\n\u201cNow that my kids are at an age where I can have some more time for myself, I\u2019m very keen to learn some new skills to get back into the workforce,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re here with our hands in the soil\u2026 I think we are learning practical skills that will help me find employment at the end of it.\u201d
\nThe course caters for people with family commitments, finishing at 3pm on both days of the program, which are run at Encompass\u2019 The Paddock and the Leopold Community Hub.
\nWith class sizes capped, the program aims to foster an encouraging and understanding atmosphere among the 11 participants, who reside from Whittington through to Indented Head.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a very supportive environment, both from the participants and the trainers,\u201d Mrs Arbuthnot said.
\n\u201cI love that I\u2019m here and being supported to do something for me.\u201d
\nOpportunity East will in coming months introduce the \u2018Road Ready\u2019 traffic management program with GO Traffic.
\nAn Introduction to Community Services course, with Cloverdale Community Centre, Gordon TAFE and Springdale Neighbourhood Centre, will also soon be offered.
\nResidents also have access to the Jobs Victoria Employment Network, which provides personal mentoring to jobseekers who face barriers to re-entering the workforce.
\nThis service is delivered by Bethany Community Support at Bellarine Living and Learning Centre at Whittington.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A CITY of Greater Geelong project is creating more chances for residents to gain the confidence and skills they need to re-enter the workforce. Opportunity East is an Education to Employment project, funded by Skilling the Bay and led by the City of Greater Geelong, that is part of the Whittington Works Alliance. It supports […]<\/p>\n