Courses that create opportunities open

AN organisation that provides free pre-employment training to migrant, asylum seeker, and refugee women is now taking expressions of interest for its term one 2024 intake. 

SisterWorks Bendigo runs two eight-week courses, one for setting up small businesses and another for hospitality industry training.  

Bendigo program manager Maria Gillies said since SisterWorks started in 2013, 2500 women have completed its courses with many having gone on to related work. 

The organisation has a range of partners that often take on graduates of its hospitality program. 

“On that program we’re trying to help them get a job with our partner companies like Don KR, Estia Health, and with other hospitality or restaurants here in Bendigo,” Ms Gillies said. 

“Some of them are mums, so they can’t really work full time. If we can, we find them a job where they can juggle picking up the kids.” 

Of the people who went through Bendigo SisterWorks training in term four this year, four women have started small businesses, and two who did the hospitality have been offered jobs with a program partner. 

For those who might not be sure yet if they want to do one of the two courses, Ms Gillies said the group also offers other, more social activities. 

“On top of that we have yoga, which is geared towards mental illness. We also have social sewing, most of our women here make bags and hats,” she said. 

“It’s also building their skills to be able to work in some of our partners that are creating uniforms for our military.” 

There are 15 spots available for the small business program and 20 for the hospitality training, and eligible local women will be able to sign up until courses begin on 31 January and 2 February next year. 

SisterWorks Bendigo can be contacted at 0420258972 or [email protected].