Finding a job is more about attitude than it is about age or aptitude, says the co-ordinator of a youth employment program for the Border.
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The Transition to Work program, run by the Personnel Group, is aimed at young people between the ages of 15 and 21 years who have left school and might be struggling to find work.
On Thursday, staff were serving up popcorn, scones and plenty of encouragement at Wodonga Plaza as they urged family, carers and young people to take up places in the free program.
Transition to Work co-ordinator Chelsea Fraser said the year-long program offered one-on-one support to young people to get them into a job or re-connect them into education.
Ms Fraser said young people often didn’t understand workplace requirements or needed help to gain qualifications such as first aid, food handling or responsible service of alcohol certificates.
“We’ve had kids who have never been to high school now in apprenticeships or part-time jobs,” she said.
“An individual’s attitude determines success; our job is to find what clicks and build on their strengths.
“As part of the program we provide work experience and weekly events where an employer or service provider talks with young people about workplace expectations.
“We also provide on-the-job support during the first six months to address any barriers they may be facing.”
The Transition To Work program, which has been running since March 2016, has been offered to 500 youth in the Albury-Wodonga area with 250 of those starting employment and 150 re-connecting to education.
Transport issues, loss of confidence and self-esteem are among some of the barriers to employment, according to case manager Caroline Wragg.
She works closely with program participants to help build their skills but also to get them in the right head space about work.
“Having the right attitude is critical,” she agreed.
“I try to explain they have 50 years of working life ahead of them.
“You don’t always find the perfect job straight away but certain jobs might be necessary for survival or help you build the skills to get your foot in the door of an industry.”
For more information about places in the program contact The Personnel Group at either the Albury (02) 6041 1577 or Wodonga (02) 6056 1833 offices.