Attracting workers and finding a job were the key themes for the Cardinia Jobs & Skills Showcase held at the cultural centre in Pakenham Lakeside on Thursday June 20.
With 30 businesses and hundreds in attendance, as well as numerous workshops, the event was a resounding success.
Earlier that morning a breakfast presentation was held with representatives from Cardinia Shire, Chisholm, Star News Group and various other organisations who heard from two unique employers and how they’re making a difference in the community.
Lime Box Cafe and Fruit2Work spoke of the challenges and opportunities in hiring those from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds in a Q/A style format.
Not only can you grab a great coffee and meal at Lime Box Cafe, but they are a purpose-built business dedicated to youth training and employment opportunities in food and catering.
Lime Box Cafe’s Cher explained how it all started.
“Along the way I became a workplace trader and then I got introduced to school-based traineeships, and I ended up running a big warehouse in Dandenong South,” she said.
“I branched out and I knew through the community that Pakenham was desperate for lots of things, but Pakenham Secondary College, particularly at the time, was sending all their students to the different warehouses out of the area.”
She was approached to consider setting up a site locally.
“Over the years, I’ve probably had around 1500 school kids and we’ve given them opportunities to learn and get a certificate,” she said.
Cher also highlighted how beneficial job seeker agencies have been.
“I learned that the job seeker agencies were a wonderful wealth of opportunity and information that helped me come up with the right staff members,” she said.
The cafe also strives to create a supportive environment for staff, with honesty being one of the key factors.
While Fruit2Work, a social enterprise and registered charity that delivers fruit, milk and pantry items across Melbourne with a factory in Hallam, spoke of how they create opportunities for those coming out of the justice system by providing transitional employment.
It was highlighted they have returned more than 100 people to work and incredibly none of them reoffending.
By reducing reoffending, the organisation also helps the state save hundreds of thousands in costs every year.
One of their employee success stories spoke of how Fruit2Work has helped shape his life from prison to now being their operations manager.
The worker shared how he is now going back to prisons to not only spread hope but help others find employment.
