HELP2LINK
April/May 2016
Welcome from Nunzia
Nunzia Confessore,
General Manager of
Employment & Training
Our job seekers continue to motivate our team at Help as we day after day see the
progress each one who finds employment makes in their lives. The stories in this
newsletter reflect the positive and impacting work that is being done as we partner with
local businesses to achieve this. I was proud to convey to the Prime Minister who visited
us recently the good work being done both with the job seekers but also with special
mention of employers who work with us to make this all happen. This newsletter is a
testimony to this work and what can be done to make a tangible difference in our
community to impact productivity of businesses and prosperity for job seekers.
The Prime Minister comes to Help
The Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull visited Help
North Lakes on the 9th of May. This auspicious occasion was a great
opportunity for HELP to showcase its services in this booming local
community of North Lakes. Located with YMCA at the Space complex,
North Lakes an excellent partnership exists in a modern facility to impact
the community both in employment and community wellbeing. Our Help 4
Youth project piloted in this area was able to be profiled and an
opportunity was provided for our youth job seekers to meet the Prime
Minister. Cameron Jackson was one such job seeker who told the Prime
Minister he would be getting a job in retail and impressed him with his
confidence and determination. Kerry Browne, CEO of Help Enterprises
and Nunzia Confessore, General Manager of Employment and Training
both greeted the Prime Minister as seen below with the full support of
many Help management and staff.
The Prime Minister at Help
The Prime Minister at Help
Domino’s
Domino’s, National Learning & Development Manager, Peter Ryan, offered Help
Enterprises’ the opportunity for job seekers to fill 2 positions in their New Farm
store.
Information sessions were attended by 32 job seekers at various Help sites with a
final 8 chosen. They attended a briefing and introduction to Domino’s at their
Australia & New Zealand Head Office, at Hamilton Harbour. Every job seeker was
dressed in similar fashion to a Domino’s employee, and they all looked the part.
An initial trial intake for 2 of our job seekers were successful and both have
commenced in employment with Domino’s this week.
Feedback from Domino’s Regional Management states: “Chris and Kaine are
both quite similar in that they just want an opportunity. All of the candidates had
really impressive attitudes.”
When Chris was asked how his job was going he said “Best job I’ve ever had. I
get to make people smile. My other jobs, including telemarketing, were all about
getting people to do things, or buys things, but this job, I get to make pizzas that
people want. I’ve even got to ride the e-bike for deliveries”
We thank Domino’s for providing these employment opportunities and expect this
to be the start of something much bigger; both for our job seekers and Domino’s.
Domino’s latest staff
The Fison Food Factory was established in 2013 by Help Enterprises to create a simulated training work
environment for students to train in a qualification for hospitality, commercial cookery or barista short
courses that would give them the skills that would eventually lead to sustainable employment.
Coffee, takeaway foods and much more
Cafe meals in a modern setting
$
Under ten dollar menu
Quick lunches
$
Catering for small and large events
Email orders ready to pick up
Address: 293 Fison Avenue East, Eagle Farm
Ph: (07) 3868 9827
Email: [email protected]
Open Monday - Friday: 6:30am to 2:00pm
The new team at Mitchelton
Help Mitchelton Launches its New Premises
Help’s Mitchelton site was initially established in March this year and has formed an integral part of the local
community. Founded as a Disability Employment Services site operation it continues to provide a leading
Disability Employment Service and now also provides the jobactive programme, helping unemployed people to
obtain jobs. Our move to this new and upgraded premises and increased staff now enables this site to impact
local employment and the well being of the local community
Team Help Mitchelton are proud to be officially launching their new premises on the 6th of July with an
invitation to local employers and community stakeholders to visit our new site. An open day event is in the
planning which will see VIPs, local community and job seekers being invited to a morning of celebration and
food, to set the stage for this fast paced Help site. We are so pleased to see the motivation that such a
progressive site brings and look forward to high impact performance from the team now in this state of the art
facility.
Pine Valley Flowers
Rob Evans, Help2Placement Officer and Kevin
When Help first started working with Kev he
was unemployed, struggling with nonvocational issues and sleeping in his
vehicle. Our team worked very intensively
with Kev to link him to housing services,
counselling and most importantly suitable
employment. Kevin gained employment with
Pine Valley Flowers and has now been
employed for over six months. He still drops
in on his days off and usually brings the
team coffees! Employment is life changing
as Kevin is happy to share.
Salt No Limits
The Salt Shop in Redcliffe started out as an empty shell. An empty shop space
with a cement floor. That was it.
To look at the shop today and to see how far it has come, is a fantastic
testament to the hard work and dedication from Tracey Lech and the jobactive
Work for the Dole participants. Some of these participants are long term
unemployed Help Enterprises job seekers, and this activity has created
excitement to those that attend – some are even returning on a completely
voluntary basis! They have learnt new skills that are transferrable in many
industries.
The shop front
Andrew had this to say “I enjoy coming to the activity and being able to see the
final products of the things we all help to make out of the pallets. We make
coffee tables and even seating from pieces of wood. We cut, sand and paint to
make into furniture. Knowing the money is going back into the community to
help the kids is really good.” and Koby had this to say “I started here when it all
began. I loved helping out in the candle and soap making. Then when the front
cafe started, I learnt how to be a barista and make awesome coffees. I learned
excellent customer service skills and cash handling. I now still volunteer here
three days per week as well as look for work. The people are all just like me,
trying to get new skills and get a job. This is a great way to do that.”
Soaps and candle making
The activities created by Salt are soap making, body scrubs, and candles.
Another activity restores and reuses pre loved furniture. Members of the local
Redcliffe community and surrounds also donate wooden pallets for the Work
for the Dole participants, to make the furniture that is used in the shop.
Candles and soaps for sale
Another new venture started at Salt when they turned the shop front into a
semi functioning coffee shop. They are now able to provide fresh brewed
coffee to the public along with some tasty cakes, slices and quiches.
Participants are trained in barista skills, retail, marketing and customer service.
Tracey Lech, from Salt No Limits Inc. confirms “The profits go back into the
community sports programs and help fund competitions, camps and for the
kids to attend state competitions”.
Painting and sanding furniture
WashWorx Handwash
Washworx have a close association with
Help having now placed a number of job
seekers in employment. A new Help4Youth
traineeship has been set up with Washworx
to add to this excellent relationship. Ian
Wilson is happy to be able to work with the
company. “Much appreciated” says Michael
Wallis Business Development Manager who
made the placement!
WashWorx Handwash
National Retail Association
Retail moves ahead in Caboolture with the successful completion of a retail course by enthusiastic students,
trained in connection with the National Retail Association. All students who started the course completed this
with a 100% attendance record in Certificate 2 programme. These students are now progressing in their
career paths by attending work experience placement with retailers in the Caboolture area. We are expecting
positive employment outcomes for all participants in their chosen career paths of retail.
Retail students in Caboolture have had 100% attendance
Teresita Finds Work
Teresita Leathem was keen to work in aged care but had
never worked in the industry although she has many
housekeeping skills. Teresita gained an interview and
has been successful in commencing a position as a
housekeeper at a local aged care facility. Her duties
include housekeeping and laundry.
Heidi, a Help2Placement consultant said when “she got
the interview [she] was so excited and [is] now loving her
job.” Teresita has held this job for 5 weeks now.
Teresita
Gloria Jeans
Michael Wallis, Kate Armstrong and Leigh Hammerich
Daryl and Leigh Hammerich the Franchisee’s of Gloria
Jeans saw something in Kate, our HELP4Youth
participant. Kate’s smile lit up the outlet as soon as Kate
walked in. Daryl explained that normally there would not
be a place for Kate, in such a fast paced industry.
However, with the support of Help, Daryl and Leigh’s
caring mentoring and a tailor made traineeship, Kate will
excel.
The Good Guys
Sasha Hamilton commenced with Help Northlakes in 2015, she was seeking employment in the retail industry
to compliment her Certificate III in Retail that she had completed in 2014. That same year, Sasha commenced
employment with The Good Guys, Northlakes as a Retail Assistant. She has maintained employment for the
full 26 weeks and achieved full outcomes.
In 2016 an additional support follow up call has confirmed that she is still working and continuing to develop at
the store. Her employer is continuing to invest in her and she is going through further upskilling. Sasha proudly
reports to us that she is currently the only staff member at The Good Guys North Lakes branch that is trained
and experienced in administration, sales and warehousing duties.
The North West Private Hospital
Long term Mitchelton DES Job Seeker Robert Meulen has
landed on his feet with steady ongoing employment as a
catering assistant with the North West Private Hospital in their
catering / kitchen division. After a few years of struggling to try
and get back into the hospitality industry, Robert was
introduced to the North West Private Hospital by north region
JPO Rod Freiberg. Reports are that Robert is doing a great job
and Help 2 Support Consultant Mel Walton provides regular on
the job support to him in relation to his day to day activities in
the role and rostered shifts. Robert stated he loves the people
he works with and loves serving the meals to the patients in all
the various wards as well.
Robert at work
Tree of Gratitude
Anjali Rawat wanted to share some pictures of
their students “Tree of Gratitude” at Northlakes
training room. Its filling up quickly and each day
grows a few leaves. Every morning before they
start they spend 5 minutes being grateful for all
that they have.
Ms. Karah with the Tree of Gratitude
Anjali, who teaches hospitality, retail and business
at Help Training Institute had this to say: “I want to
thank you all for giving me this opportunity to
assist my groups. Each one of them are pleasure
to work with and I learn a lot from them every
day. In one of the pictures you’ll see Ms. Karah
who is my early bird and comes to training every
day at 8:30 am. She’s agreed to be the face of our
training group, love her smile.“
Help and the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce
The Help team in the Gold Coast
attended a recent Business
showcase expo held by the Gold
Coast
Central Chamber
of
Commerce. A well-presented stall
was set up and much attention
was received from local business
keen to know about our services.
A number of vacancies were
taken on the day as a result and
numerous
local
business
connections made.
The Help display at the Gold Coast Business Showcase Exhibit
Fresh Futures Market Expo
On Wednesday May 18th, Help Employment and
Training and the Disability Support Services team
attended the Brisbane Fresh Futures Market Expo.
The event provided an opportunity for people living
with a disability/mental illness the chance to
investigate a broad range of resources and liaise
directly with support services for information and
advice on their future. This event was attended by
people with disabilities of all ages including those
transitioning from school plus their parents, carers
and teachers.
Brisbane Fresh Futures Market Expo
Upcoming Courses at Help Training Institute
Course
Location
Start Date
Course
Location
Start Date
Responsible Service
of Alcohol
Caboolture
2nd June
Certificate II
Business
Southport
20th June
Forklift Training
Eagle Farm
6th June
White Card
Caboolture
20th June
White Card
Eagle Farm
13th June
White Card
Southport
27th June
Certificate III in
Hospitality
Eagle Farm
15th June
Forklift Training
Eagle Farm
28th June
Contact Help Training Institute on 3260 6435 for more information
Lagoon Creek
The Caboolture team on a WFD site visit to Lagoon Creek
The Help Caboolture team gets out and about on
visits to a Work for the Dole project with Lagoon
Creek. Help is a local leader in the Work for the
Dole programme and is pleased to be able to
work with local community organisations to bring
a real work experience for job seekers. This
helps them impact work ethic and motivation as
they complete fulfilling and positive community
based outcomes. This is a win win for both the
community and job seekers.
The Greenslopes Employment Blitz
A new format job seeker engagement session has been developed for job seekers which comprises of a
number of employers presenting their businesses and vacancies they have available. When 21 job seekers
attended and four employers offered a number of vacancy opportunities.
In the words of Senior Help Employment consultant at Greenslopes, Farina “What an aaaaaaamazing,
inspiring, motivating, engaging day for our jobseekers today” and “today our jobseekers felt, special, felt that
we care and that we are trying.”
The Key Account employers discussed resumes, skills, experiences, attitude, answering phones, opportunities
and vacancies. Most of all, they kept it real, and our job seekers responded in kind. Our job seekers asked
lots of questions, and didn’t hold back. Most of the jobseekers came well dressed, asked numerous questions,
and listened carefully.
The industries we covered:
AWX (meatworks, civil, construction, landscaping)
Strive International (hospitality)
WPC Group (apprenticeships and traineeships, and some
handy employment vacancies)
Effective Recruitment (labour hire in construction)
Some of the results:
WPC Group received four job seeker referrals, and gave
each one of them some homework for the next steps.
Effective Recruitments received seven referrals and
information packs were prepared and sent out to each
AWX received four referrals and conversations are about to
commence
Strive International received two referrals and opportunities
are being sourced
Again in the words of Farina “It was truly magical”
The Greenslopes Blitz