Adelaide’s first VTEC helping SA job seekers

Job opportunities for Indigenous job seekers in Adelaide improved this past month with the launch of Adelaide’s first Vocational Training and Employment Centre (VTEC).

The first Adelaide VTEC aims to supply 200 jobs and will be operated by Job Services Australia provider Maxima Group, in partnership with Workskil Australia.  The Australian Government has committed up to $45 million for VTECs and the initiative is well on the way to meeting the target of placing 5,000 Indigenous Australians into guaranteed jobs across Australia.

The Maxima Adelaide VTEC is one of the 17 new centres announced by Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion in July.

Speaking at the local launch event in September, Maxima CEO David Cockram explained how much having a job can change people’s lives for the better.

“The greatest thrill I get is when we can help an unemployed person into a decent job, and I know that they’ve got money in their pocket, their self- confidence has gone through the roof, to a large degree they've become the master of their own destiny, and they’re in a position to start to take control of their lives and shape their own future,” David said.

VTECs are based on the Generation One employment model. The model matches an Indigenous job seeker to a guaranteed job, trains them specifically for that job and provides any necessary support to ensure long term and satisfying employment.

Workskil Australia CEO Nicole Dwyer outlined what that support might include. “Now behind the scenes our VTEC staff are also intensively working with each VTEC participant to improve their capacity to work – this could be anything from soft skills mentoring to managing health issues, improving fitness, to securing safe housing,” she said.

The launch event held at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute brought together Maxima and Workskil staff, supporting employers, government representatives and other interested parties enjoyed Didgeridoo playing by Indigenous students from Rostrevor College and bush tucker from Australian Wattlebush Catering.