An innovative new program has helped six young Indigenous men from the Cessnock community gain employment.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The pre-employment trade training course, run by The Management Edge (TME), saw local men participate in a two-week course.
It was one of the initiatives under the Family and Community Services funded Cessnock Place Plan Project, a program aimed at strengthening social housing communities through targeted projects tailored to their needs.
Known as the Cessnock 240 Project, the program aimed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men gain employment on the 240-bed expansion at Cessnock Correctional Centre.
TME trainer and assessor Jeff Lynch said the program aimed to empower and equip the men with the confidence and work ready skills.
"It's about getting these guys out of the cycle. It was a great outcome," he said. "We wanted to give them work place skills such as communication. It's about giving them the foundation skills to transition into employment, the kind of skills you need to interact and engage."
Topics also covered in the course included managing personal stress in the workplace, health and safety and completing a workplace orientation.
The participants gained employment in various industries including landscaping/construction, brick and block laying, fencing and plastering.
"This is the first time that we've run the program up here in Cessnock," TME client solutions manager Brendan Hook said.
"We brought together a program that was going to assist people transition into employment, potentially in trades. We are over the moon over the success of the program."
The project was run in partnership with Lendlease, Training Services NSW, New Careers for Aboriginal People (NCAP) Program, Aboriginal Employment Strategy, Salvation Army Employment Plus - Smart, Skilled and Hired and Family and Community Services.
FACS Executive District Director Marie New said she "was so pleased to attend the graduation ceremony for these young men".
"It is such an important initiative and the collaboration across industry, training and community services is exactly how we want to work to support communities into the future.
"Having a job is not to be underestimated and is a key factor in keeping families safe, well and thriving."
With this success under their belt, another program has been scheduled from May 20-29 with expressions of interest now being sought from community groups in the Cessnock and Hunter Valley region.