The training that really works

A WORK for the Dole graduation in Bulli last week was noticeably light on students – mostly because many of the participants couldn’t get time off their new jobs.

The number of well-wishers actually outnumbered graduates at the event, which was celebrating the graduation of the most recent batch of Work for the Dole participants to learn administration and sales skills through the Bulli PCYC.

People put into the Work for the Dole program are referred to Wollongong City Employment and Training before choosing a workplace in which to learn new skills or refresh old knowledge.

Bulli PCYC trains these participants in administrative and sales duties by putting their skills to use securing donations and organising events for the club.

The Trainer in the program, Lisa Valk, from the Bulli PCYC said the program has a 40 percent success rate in getting participants into employment.

She said students might have been out of the workforce for years after having children or have been otherwise unemployed, and usually need a confidence boost to get them ready to start a new job.

One recent participant who did make it to the graduation was Jodie Rose from Woonona.

Ms Rose had only been out of work for a bit over a month when she was sent to the Work for the Dole Program and had only been with Bulli PCYC for another month or so when she was offered two jobs in one week.

Ironically, one of the jobs was an administration role with WCET.

She took it, and is now helping organise other people like herself into suitable Work for The Dole training.

Ms Rose said when people come into the WCET to be placed for training they are often nervous and enthusiastic, but by the end of their time in the program have nothing but praise for the experience.