By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
AFTER five years without a steady job, single dad Dillon Moon says it took time and a pinch of luck to rejoin the workforce.
Dillon had quit his job as a civil drainer to care for his primary-school aged kids after a family breakdown.
But despite his efforts, he couldn’t find a boss flexible enough to give him about 20 hours a week between school drop-off and pick-up times.
Dillon’s break came when he got help from a Connections to Employment program – a pilot run by Mission Australia to tackle entrenched unemployment in Melbourne’s south east.
Victoria’s unemployment rate has been steadily climbing to 6.5 per cent.
There are south-east suburbs that dwarf this figure, such as Dandenong (20.5 per cent), Doveton (20.4 per cent), Dandenong North (11.1 per cent), Cranbourne (10.5 per cent), Noble Park (10.5 per cent), Hallam (9.9 per cent) and Springvale (9.8 per cent).
Dillon, 46, retrained – gaining a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways.
With the help of the program, he found a job as a mower and gardener with Pakenham business owner Denis Toogood who runs a handyperson enterprise Denis Around The House.
“Denis has stepped in not just as a boss but as a friend,” Dillon said.
He says he no longer worries so much, or has to fret about not taking his kids out to do things on the weekends.
“There’s no better feeling than picking up your kids after doing a good day’s work.”
Mr Toogood set up the business after being retrenched from his paint-making job.
He says the goal of the business is to help others – and has been prepared to give the previously long-term unemployed and young refugees a go.
Dillon has worked for him for nearly a year.
“I say don’t judge people,” Mr Toogood said.
“Dillon’s got tatts all over him but he’s the sweetest bloke you could meet.
“A genuine battler… would do anything for his kids… a great work ethic.
“It’s been a really positive experience for me.”
Mission Australia state director Kylee Bates said the Department of Human Services-funded program helped to break the disadvantaged cycle for people in Greater Dandenong and Casey but it takes “intensive time”.
The program has found an ongoing job for 38 of its 80 clients – who are connected to DHS by way of public housing, waiting lists, a disability, child protection or youth justice.
They are a clientele that have previously slipped through the job network support system. They need to build up job-ready skills, find their goals and bolster their self-confidence.
“Being unemployed is not just bad news for people in the short term – the longer they languish on welfare the harder it will become for them to break into the workforce,” Ms Bates said.
“Their ability to generate employment takes some intensive time. That investment does pay off.”
She says the success of her program depends on local businesses getting involved. Just 20 per cent of Greater Dandenong’s workforce is comprised of locals.
“Part of it is activating local employers and helping them to see there’s potential talent in front of them.
“Those people may need to be supported in the early stages to be long-term employees in the business.
“It’s about the community and only the community can make it work.”
For details on the program, call Rosemary Nelson, 9213 2500 or 0427 957 013.
