WCC Annual Report | Page 15

Settlement Employment Programs SGP Employment Program The SGP employment program linked clients to work placements at the City of Whittlesea and other organisations to gain valuable local experience and employment related references for their resumes. ? 82 people from newly arrived backgrounds were supported through the program with some linked to volunteer opportunities and training to support a pathway to employment. ? 12 clients were successful in securing a job. Women in Work Social Enterprise The Women in Work Social Enterprise provides support for local women to gain a qualification and enter the workforce. The program continues to grow with increasing demand for our services. ? Employing twelve qualified women as child care workers, the Women in Work enterprise has provided a service to community and private organisations from all over metropolitan Melbourne. ? This year, the service has grown significantly and provided 284 childcare sessions for 28 programs. ? In 2012-13 twelve women began the Cert 4 in out of school care ? currently completing placements ? 2 women have successfully completed their Certificate 4. The Work Ready Program The Work Ready Program provided training and work placement opportunities to a group of young people from a refugee background. This program gave young new arrivals an edge in the job market and readied them for work. Training on occupational health and safety, work culture and life skills in preparation for work placement activities gave ’real-life’ exposure to work and employment. After the program the young people receive job search and application support. Whittlesea Career Pathways Employment Working Group WCC continues to convene the Whittlesea Career Pathways Employment Working Group, consisting of representatives from a wide range of local services who work to address barriers to employment for people from a non English speaking background. In 2012 th