Some Casey mothers have gained the skills they need to reenter the By Rebecca Fraser
MANY women put their careers and jobs on hold when they start and raise their families. But for many mothers the day eventually comes when they decide to return to the workforce.
Some women find this transition back to work easy but for others gaining that allimportant foot in the door can be very difficult especially if they have not worked for years. But now a new employment program in Casey is helping address these issues and giving women the skills they need to apply for jobs and return to the workforce.
Megan Robinson, site manager of Your Employment Solutions (YES) in Narre Warren, who fund the new program, said the initiative had brought many benefits to local mothers.
“The program came about following the new Centrelink initiative that comes into place next year where mothers on parenting payments will be placed on new start allowance once their youngest child reaches six.
“Many of the women are sole parents and some started with no confidence and felt alone and scared about reentering the workforce,” she said.
The free course, held at the Narre Community Learning Centre each Wednesday, celebrated the graduation of the program’s first students last week.
Ms Robinson said the women would now be invited to come in and meet with YES consultants and start looking for suitable work together.
Narre Warren motheroftwo, Michelle Rushby, who has just completed the program, urged anyone trying to reenter the workforce to take up the new opportunity.
“The program has been very good for selfconfidence building and we have looked at time management, resume building, job seeking and I have also made some good friends.
“If you are sitting at home you start to think that you are the only one but now we all know that we are not the only ones trying to get back into work.
“I would recommend this program to anyone,” she said.
Ms Rushby currently works parttime but would like a fulltime job if it worked around her children.
“On behalf of all of the girls I can say that the course has been really worthwhile as we have learnt about the art of networking and how to build up contacts and find out information.
“Maria Kinnes has really gone well beyond what was expected in running this course and we have gained a great deal from all of her hard work,” she said.
If anyone is interested in enrolling in the program or for further information call Megan Robinson of Your Employment Solutions in Narre Warren on 9796 6278.
