Whittlesea Community Connections (WCC) is a place based community agency that strives for the empowerment of individuals and groups within the local community who face disadvantage, isolation and obstacles to effective social and economic participation. The agency is committed to developing responsive approaches to meet the challenges posed by Whittlesea's changing and emerging communities. We have a clear role in advocating to both services and different levels of government through both direct service and policy input. Our services and programs are designed to respect and empower and are free, confidential and impartial.

Whittlesea Community Connections core objectives are to:

• Identify and address information and service needs of residents in City of Whittlesea
• Advocate for and with the community for increased participation in decision making
• Support formal and informal volunteer roles in the Whittlesea community
• Collaborate with agencies and Government to develop and sustain services that serve local community needs
• Continue to develop and improve the quality, efficiency and accessibility of our services
• Identify opportunities for greater community involvement and leadership so that community residents can contribute to decisions that affect their lives.

Position Rationale

Funded by Jobs Victoria Innovation Stream, WCC will support 50 job seekers to gain automotive manufacturing jobs with RMAA Australia. Jobseekers will represent Jobs Victoria priority cohorts including women over 45 and people with CALD backgrounds experiencing barriers to employment. RMAA Australia is a new business establishing in Victoria with significant growth potential and is based in new facility in Mickleham, north of Melbourne.

The Employment mentor and training support role will be responsible for initial screening, administrating flexible funds, supporting access to further training (accredited and non-accredited) and post- placement support. Post placement support includes addressing emerging issues, on the job support to help maintain employment and building relationship between RMAA Australia and newly recruited employees. This role will also support the delivery of training to RMAA recruits where required.

As part of this Innovation Project, this role will work in a team that includes an Employment Mentor, Trainer and Recruitment & Community Engagement Coordinator.

Some of the duties include:

• Pre-employment support to ensure that priority job seekers are aware, able and confident to apply for Production Operator and Quality Inspectors roles at RMAA Australia.
• Post placement support to ensure that each jobseeker is well supported from the beginning of their placement until the employee and employer relationship is built. All jobseekers will be supported by a dedicated Employment Mentor from acceptance into the program for 6 months. Jobseekers will be provided with weekly mentoring sessions for 1 month and then fortnightly for 5 months.
• Support in delivering pre-employment training that includes topics such as Occupational Health and Safety, teamwork and communication skills. This will be delivered in collaboration with the project team’s Trainer.

A position description is attached.