Wesley Mission Victoria works within the ethos of the Uniting Church in Australia.

Central to this ethos is the conviction that we discover who we truly are when we give of ourselves in love and service, and work together for a fair and compassionate world.

BESTCDG is looking forward in developing an exciting working partnership with

Wesley Employment Services which will see a combination of resources, experience and expertise.

This will see the partnership meeting the needs of disadvantaged job seekers.

BESTCDG sees the growing partnership with Wesley to be important, so that we can as a group

secure the best possible solutions for the disadvantaged. The development of this partnership will

see BESTCDG working with a truly successful organisation that develops effective outcomes

for their job seekers.

BESTCDG is a new ‘not for profit' organisation that was incorporated in May 2010.

There are two parent organisations of BESTCDG, one is a successful UK charity called

Careers Development Group (www.cdguk.org). CDG is an experienced and successful provider

of work-focussed programs on behalf of the UK government’s Department for Work and Pensions

(DWP) both directly and as a subcontractor. CDG operates 25 Customer Resource Centres

throughout the UK and manages a supply chain of subcontractors covering another 29 sites.

 It directly employs 330 staff and supports 33,000+ customers annually on their journey to

secure employment.The other parent organisation is a successful Victorian Regional

not for profit organisation called BEST Community Development (http://www.bestcdg.com).

The National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) service aims to increase the number of

job vacancies available to Disability Employment Services nationally.

The NDRC service works alongside large employers to develop Partnership Agreements which outline

the employer’s commitment to the recruitment of people with disability.

Once employers make a commitment to work with the NDRC, the service helps to implement

practices to support the recruitment of people with disability. The service also provides

information about DES and other supports available to the employer.

Many well-known and high profile employers have agreed to work with the NDRC including:

ANZ, Australia Post, Manpower, Salmat, Telstra , TNT Express, Western Power, Woolworths Limited

and Westpac.

These companies are welcoming more people with disability as valued employees and realise that

employing people with disability makes good business sense.

Further information about the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator service can be found on the

JobAccess website www.jobaccess.gov.au or call 1800 464 800.

The NDCO Program aims to improve the transition of people with a disability aged 15 to 64 into

further education, training and employment. Your National Disability Coordination Officer can

help provide information, coordination and referral for people with a disability.

There are 31 NDCO's across Australia, and 7 located within Victoria. This NDCO website

provides information on the NDCO programs that are hosted in Victoria and will guide you to

the NDCO in your region.

Wesley Employment Services has partnered with the NDCO in the Northern and

Western regions of Victoria working on various projects and events iincluding the

NDCO Program and Disability Employment Services Strategic Alliance Partnership

Agreement in the Northern Region. 

For information on NDCO's across Australia.

Visit: http://www.deewr.gov.au/NDCO

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As with any organisation, the pathway to success is through people not product.

At Diversity@Work they are about leveraging the differences of employees to

establish the right competitive edge to build your business.

So when it comes to cultural diversity, indigenous awareness,

disability action plans, sexuality issues, or mental health training,

Diversity@Work has your needs covered.

Their complete range of training programs, products, services, resources and consultancy

are designed to keep you ahead by:

• Fulfilling legal obligations so you are compliant
• Mitigating your risk
• Tailoring specific programs to suit your organizational strategic goals
• Creating an edge over your competitors
• Improving a retention and engagement of all staff
• Developing a stronger brand profile
• Establishing yourself as an employer of choice
• Connecting to the community; and
• Creating a safe work place and/or behaviour

Foundation Pathway

Wesley Employment Services has referred our Job Seekers to the

Diversity@Work Foundation Pathway program which includes a Certificate I in Work Education

and Certificate II in Community Services or Business.

This program prepares Job Seekers with a disability to help prepare them for work in their

chosen field of Community Services or Business.

Some of the topics covered in the program are : Preparing for Success,

Working in the Community Services or Business Sector,

Customer interaction, Customer Service, Communication, Pathways one:one,

Workplace Safety & Sustainability, Simulated work environment.

For further information, call Diversity@Work on 03 9256 5202.

Social Firms Australia (SoFA) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to creating accessible, durable

employment for people with a mental illness, disability or other disadvantage. Wesley have partnered

with Social Firms Australia through their LEAP project and the HOPE program.

LEAP Program

The LEAP project was established by Social Firms Australia and is funded by the

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

To improve workforce participation, employment and social outcomes for

job seekers with a mental illness by building individuals’ work readiness

and capacity to manage their symptoms in the workplace.

To develop the skills and capacity of local disability employment support

personnel to assist job seekers with mental illness. To promote service

integration between local disability employment support providers,

clinical mental health teams and rehabilitation services by establishing

partnerships in Coburg, Northcote, Footscray,Dandenong, Prahran and Maryborough.

HOPE Program

Part of the LEAP project is to deliver the Health Optimisation Program for Employment (HOPE)

training. HOPE assists job seekers with a mental illness to take greater control of their wellbeing.

The HOPE training program has been adapted by SOFA and Frameworks for Health

(St Vincent’s Health) from an existing evidence-based clinical training program.

HOPE training will be delivered jointly by a mental health peer educator and a trainer.

Trainers are sourced from within the LEAP partnership and trained by Frameworks for Health.

The Inner Norther Local Learning and Employment Network

INLLEN is an independent not for profit organisation funded by the Victorian Government,

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) under the

Enhanced LLEN 2010 – 2013 School Business Community Partnership Brokers program.

Their mission is to improve education, training and employment outcomes for

young people (10 – 19 years of age) in the municipalities of Darebin, Moreland and Yarra.

The INLLEN is governed by a Committee of Management which is made up of a range

of people from industry, government, education and training providers, and the

local community. They are a strategic partnership brokering organisation that

develops partnerships between education and training providers,

business and industry, community organisations, parents and families, and young people.

INLLEN Strategic Plan

The INLLEN Committee of Management has developed a four year Strategic Plan

which is evidence based on analysis of the issues affecting young people in the region.

There is a direct link between the issues identified in the environmental scan and the strategic plan.

 INLLEN  Goals

1. Retention and Completion
To improve the retention and completion rate of 10 - 19 year olds in education and training

in particular Koorie and CALD / refugee young people

2. Effective Transition
To ensure effective transition of young people from school to further education, training

or employment with training or full time employment.

3. Improve Employment Opportunities
Improve employment opportunities for young people 15- 19 years of age in the INLLEN area

4. Parental Engagement
Improve parental engagement in young people’s education

5. Re-engagementTo re-engage 10-19 year olds into education, training and or employment

focusing on those young people who are at risk of disengaging, or who have already

disengaged from education and training and are not in meaningful employment. 

 A copy of their strategic plan is available to download via INLLEN website:

http://www.inllen.org.au/about-us/inllen-strategic-plan

The community sector provides significant support to young people both in and out

of school for a range of issues. The INLLEN supports community organisations like

Wesley Employments Services to develop partnerships with schools, education providers,

industry and parents and families that support young people.

The INLLEN continues to broker partnerships with key stakeholder groups to create

positive outcomes for young people in the Inner Northern Region of Melbourne.

 The Banyule Nillumbik LLEN's vision is to create seamless education, training and employment pathways that are inclusive responsive and innovative’.

They achieve this vision by bringing together the expertise and experience of local stakeholders to develop and foster sustainable partnerships that engage stakeholder groups.
 
These partnerships recognise the local situation, build on current practice and develop a sustainable strategic approach which involves the whole community to support young people’s learning and development.
 
Wesley Employment Services is just one of the many stakeholders working with the BNLLEN. The LLEN brokers sustainable mutually
beneficial partnerships that improve education and transition outcomes for young people between four stakeholder groups including:

• Education providers partner with stakeholders to ensure young people participate in challenging, relevant and engaging learning that makes the curriculum more meaningful and broadens personal aspirations
• Business and industry participate in sustainable partnerships that develop the skills and knowledge of the future workforce maximising relationships with industries affected by local skills shortages
• Parents and families participate in partnerships that provide an informed and supportive environment for all young people to enable life long learning and career and pathway planning
• Community groups engage in partnerships that harness resources and build social capital resulting in a coordinated, strategic, holistic approach to supporting young people.

 

 

"Essentially, the format of the Work Education Centre or its critical philosophy centres around the uniqueness of the individual self. We find out about an individual - what their learning styles are, what they like to learn, how they learn best - and then create a structure, a course for them that reflects that learning style. It is also a good introduction for them to the way the world works, whether it be in work or non work terms." - Annie Russell, Work Education Centre Co-ordinator. 

Wesley Employment Services works with NMIT to help their students with their transition from school to work and securing employment opportunities.

AGA is the business name which unites two of Australia’s most experienced group training organisations, Gippsland Group Training and Apprenticeships Victoria. AGA is a not-for-profit organisation.

As AGA they continue to offer the best quality apprenticeships available to young people, by providing secure employment and high quality training to apprentices. They also hire apprentices to employers for short or long term placements, and provide a complete apprentice management service in the workplace.

AGA has been helping Australian employers to access skilled, confident apprentices for more than 25 years. They believe that today’s apprentices are the future of Australian industry. Their purpose is to help both apprentices and employers to achieve their goals.

Through the Australian Governments “Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS)” they encourage employers to provide skills-based employment opportunities for people with a disability who are able to undertake open employment, given suitable support and training.

Including:

• Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS)
• Assistance for tutorial, interpreter and Mentor Services
• Workplace Modifications 

The College of Skills & Trades Victoria provide training and support services to clients in the

western region of Metropolitan Melbourne. They prepare you for success in the workplace

by providing comprehensive learning programs that will enable you to develop not just

technical skills but support a wider range of capabilities which can assist you in the

world of work and the community.

The enrolment process includes information sessions and the opportunity for you

to discuss your enrolment with their experienced staff individually. When you embark

on training you will feel empowered to meet any learning challenges. The skills and knowledge

of their trainers and assessors are crucial to delivering quality learning outcomes

and their curriculum implementation takes account of individual learners differences.

 
They provide language, literacy and numeracy support and additional assistance when required.

 They also  offer workshops to develop your interview skills, resume writing and computer

access and training.They have two experienced counsellors onsite for clients personal

and social needs as you embark on the path of training and employment.

 The flexible learning programs include both full and part-time training, with courses

that run during normal business hours and after hours (either night or weekends).

Funding is available and concessions apply to eligible clients.

The College of Skills & Trade Victoria is located within the close vicinity of

Wesley Employment Services Footscray and will be delivering some

of their training programs from the Wesley training room.

Since 2005, Fitted for Work has transformed the lives of over 7000 women. 

As a not-for-profit organisation, their mission is to help women experiencing disadvantage,

get work and keep it. They do this by providing free interview appropriate clothing through their

Personal Dressing Services and through their mentoring and transition to work programs. 

Through mutual respect, compassion, integrity and trust, their dedicated staff and trained

volunteers help women gain the self-esteem and confidence to achieve their goal

of sustainable employment. Their most recent Melbourne survey revealed that 75%

of the women they have dressed were employed within three months of their visit to

Fitted for Work.

 Fitted for Work is a not-for-profit with a real difference;

• They are 100% client focused. That’s why they’re expanding their services to other regions and offering deeper support to clients through their transition to work programs thus ensuring real employment outcomes.
• They actively advocate on behalf of, and with, women experiencing disadvantage to directly improve their access to sustainable employment.
• They are committed to becoming financially self-sustainable through innovative and profitable social enterprises such as Dear Gladys, their vintage and contemporary boutique.

 The Parade College story has always been one of flexibility – vital to providing a holistic education

that will help students adapt and thrive in today’s world. Since the schools foundation in 1871, it

has devoted 140 years to providing boys’ education that is based on traditional values, but reflects

what’s going on in today’s society.

The school offers a balanced education in modern facilities where young men can become wellrounded

individuals with opportunities to excel academically, socially and physically. Parade offers

many opportunities for growth through its sports programs, cultural activities, service to the

community, retreats and liturgies and outdoor education. Wesley Employment Services' "School to

Work Transitions" program is just one of those outdoor education activities that encourages

Parade students who require additional educational support to explore and develop their talents

to the fullest and aim for excellence.

In 2011 Catholic Ladies College celebrated 40 years in Elltham and in 2012 the College will

acknowledge its 110^th Anniversary. It strives to provide a learning environment which celebrates

the diversity and giftedness of all within their community.

The faith and mission of the College provides the framework for student wellbeing, learning

and teaching programs. These programs enable the College to foster a passion for lifelong

learning for the holistic development of each student. The young women of the College

are challenged to think as global citizens, consider the needs of those beyond their local community

and to recognize the responsibilities their education provides as they take their places in work,

social and family networks of the 21st century; so that their girls flourish in their time with them

and beyond. The aim is to ensure that they grow to be young women of hope; confident in

themselves and know who are they are, yet able to see and reach beyond themselves.

Wesley Employment Services is part of the Catholic Ladies’ College Community Service Program,

hosting two students during Community Service week. The Program enables Year 10 students

to recognize they are part of a broader community and wider world and that they have a responsibility

to contribute to its care. Community Service challenges the students to be more discerning, responsible

 and compassionate in their decision making and actions, and be of service to others. In 2012 the

students will be making a contribution to developing marketing collateral for the

Wesley Eligible School Leaver Program from a student perspective, amongst  several other projects.

Their program provides balance between the development of skills for lifelong learning and

opportunities for practical learning.They have established a range of community links and expertise in accessing pathways to employment and training that include Wesley Employment Services.

Supportive relationships are central to their practices, alongside the development of self-confidence

and personal responsibility.

They provide a strong sense of community in a unique environment and have high expectations in regard to attendance, cooperation and work practices.

The Pavilion Program is an alternative education programme within a community setting that

is part of the wider Charles La Trobe P12 College. The Pavilion aims to re-engage young people,

who have become disengaged from any form of education, by providing students with a relevant

 and individually tailored education programme that meets the standards of the Department of Education, Victoria.

The Pavilion aims to provide students with a learning environment that is supportive and productive.

The Pavilion seeks to achieve this by creating and maintaining an environment that is conducive

to psychosocial rehabilitation so that the ‘whole’ young person can develop safely.

Teachers and Social Workers primarily seek to create and maintain a positive environment by

following a Person-Centred Approach that is consistent and reliable while adhering to the

fundamental principles of unconditional positive regard, respect, honesty and empathy.

The Pavilion aims to provide its students with the opportunity to enhance their education in

tandem with their social development and to negotiate their transition into further education,

employment or training at their own pace.

The school's partnership with Wesley Employment Services helps to acheive these aims

through Wesley's dedicated Youth Employment Consultant helping students to access

part time work around schgool hours and with their transition from school to

further training and work.