JOBSEEKERS throughout the community have been given an opportunity to “rebuild their lives” with thanks to the Federal Government.
The group are part of the Work for the Dole program and are currently working on a house refurbishment on Mount Gambier’s fringes.
Visiting the Bedford house redevelopment site on Jubilee Highway East recently, Member for Barker Tony Pasin met Work for the Dole participant Tim Murphy who has recently gained a full-time job.
Mr Murphy is one of 230 participants who have worked on the house renovation, with 27 people gaining employment.
In the Barker electorate, more than 1567 people have participated in Work for the Dole since the 2016 election.
Jobseekers have been learning tiling, concreting, gyprocking, flooring, landscaping and other
renovation skills.
“I was working on the house for about three months and I now have a job in the timber industry as a post peeler,” Mr Murphy told The Border Watch.
“It was great being part of the Bedford program with the opportunities it has given me.”
Mr Pasin said the Bedford project was a tangible example of the effectiveness of the Work for the Dole program.
“There are people who are now in full-time work because they have gone through this program,” Mr Pasin said.
The Liberal backbencher also welcomed the refurbishment of the Bedford house given it would give people living with a disability a home.
Mr Pasin said Work for the Dole was a “win-win program” that gave participants a chance to gain valuable skills, experience and employment contacts.
“Local communities like ours benefit from projects completed by Work for the Dole participants,” he said.
“The program is having a positive impact and 30pc of jobseekers are in a job three months after completing their placement.”
Bedford site manager Graham Harris welcomed the program that was not only helping people gain employment, but would also create an “in-house” living environment where people would learn how to cook and live by themselves.
Job Prospects business development consultant Kim Cawthorne said the program had helped many in the community gain skills and increase their confidence.
“We are delighted with the positive outcomes our participants are having through Work for the Dole, the activities give participants a sense of purpose and an opportunity to learn,” Ms Cawthorne said.
She explained the jobs agency had clients that were required to participate in Work for the Dole programs.
“The Bedford program is one of them and it aims to provide them with real work life experience,” she said.
They are here as part of a team, following instructions, gaining confidence and self esteem.”
She said the program also gave employers the opportunity to choose “engaged” jobseekers who were looking for work with current skills.
“They have the opportunity to train and skill-up, employers like that.”
