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JOBS VICTORIA – WORKING STORIES SERIES

Audiences: both jobseekers and business. Voice: positive, simple, straightforward language with a focus on inspiring jobseekers to seek help, and businesses to get involved with Jobs Victoria programs.

Website: https://jobs.vic.gov.au/workin... I interviewed participants, coordinated the project, and wrote the copy for the website articles. 
All articles from the story "Bright futures in a beautiful environment" back are produced and written by me (I left for Europe in 2018, handing over the project to a new producer and writer).

Copy example 1: "A job turns Nathan's life around" https://jobs.vic.gov.au/workin...

Jobs Victoria has partnered with CVGT Australia and Banksia Gardens Community Services to deliver the Second Chance program in Hume. The program works with people who have court matters pending in the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court. It helps them get a job and keeps supporting them once they are working. CVGT Australia is a not-for-profit organisation providing a range of employment services across Victoria, NSW and Tasmania. Banksia Gardens Community Services is a vibrant neighbourhood house and community service located in the heart of Broadmeadows.

Last year, Nathan Murphy was living on the streets of Melbourne. He had a young child, was long-term unemployed and was facing pending court matters. With no home or job, no money, and little hope for the future, Nathan needed help.

Through the Second Chance program, Nathan was able to find stable accommodation. Having a roof over his head and a comfortable bed made a huge difference for Nathan. The Second Chance program employment coaches helped Nathan find a job with Recycling Solutions Vic in Campbellfield, and continue to support him in his new workplace.

Nathan can now provide for himself and his family and make plans for the future. He reminds us that there is always hope and that you need to reach out for support.

Copy example 2: "Confidence and community the keys to a successful partnership in Werribee" https://jobs.vic.gov.au/workin...

In the agricultural fields of Werribee, an area known as ‘the salad bowl of Victoria’, Fresh Select has been growing vegetables for over 60 years. Recently a new community of refugees from Myanmar has joined the business. These workers have quickly become highly valued, thanks to support from Jobs Victoria and west@work and the example of their team leader Paul Lausaweh.

Fresh Select and its group of farmers is today one of the largest lettuce and brassica producers in Australia, leading the way in industry innovation using sustainable farming techniques and responsible practices.

This commitment extends to community and social responsibility, which led Fresh Select to work with Jobs Victoria Partner west@work to enable local residents from refugee backgrounds to find sustainable work with the company.

west@work has been providing personalised services to Victorian employers to create long-term work opportunities for jobseekers for over 100 years, working throughout the Western regions of the state.

Paul Lausaweh is a refugee from Myanmar who was unable to exit Centrelink assistance for over 17 months due to limited work opportunities and lack of access to support for recently arrived refugees and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. For people like Lausaweh, language is the biggest barrier to finding employment, since it leads to a lack of confidence in demonstrating skills and abilities.

Paul was linked up with Jobs Victoria Partner west@work through the local Wyndham Community Centre, and was immediately assisted into long-term work as a packer with local employer Fresh Select. He was given language support and, most importantly, an opportunity to show his abilities. With secure employment, Paul is now able to work towards his goal of buying and owning his first family home.

Paul has recently been promoted to team leader at Fresh Select, and he now mentors new staff and provides language support for Myanmarese employees at the farm. His team at the farm is known as the ‘A-Team’ for their top performance. They are all west@work Jobs Victoria participants from the communities of Myanmar with stories similar to Paul’s.

Through support from Jobs Victoria and west@work support, Fresh Select has found a team of hard working and reliable employees, with strong work ethics and community engagement. Fresh Select is keen to take on more jobseekers through Jobs Victoria, as we are providing both the business and the employees ongoing support.