Community Traineeship Pilot Program

Victoria is currently experiencing disproportionately high rates of youth unemployment due to COVID-19 and this is expected to rise even further.

The Community Traineeship Pilot Program links young people with jobs in the growing community services sector and supports community service organisations to build their workforce needs. Trainees undertake a 12-month traineeship during which the young person is employed by the CSO whilst completing their formal qualification.

Interested in taking on a trainee?

VCOSS and our Local Partner Organisations (Taskforce Community Agency – City of Greater Dandenong and Youth Projects – City of Hume) are currently recruiting for Community Services Organisations who are willing and able to employ a trainee for 12 months, on a part time or full-time basis. We are looking for the following:

1. Community service organisations who can take on a trainee by the end of November 2020
2. Community service organisations who can commit to take on a trainee by April 2021

Trainees will commence the formal training component of their traineeship in October this year, undertaking the Certificate IV Community Services through Chisholm TAFE.

Since the program commenced in May 2019:

• 49 young people have commenced traineeships with Community Services Organisations
• The first group of trainees have completed their Certificate IV in Community Services
• We’ve hit an 80% completion rate, ( the national average is around 50%) despite COVID-19 restrictions
• Over half of the trainees have secured further employment with their host organisation (employer) post the completion of their traineeship.

One of the key differences with the Community Traineeship pilot program is that the both the trainee and their host organisation supervisor are supported throughout the length of the traineeship. VCOSS has engaged Local Partner Organisation’s (LPO’s) in each LGA the program is running in (Dandenong and Hume), with each LPO employing a dedicated youth worker to work alongside the trainee and their host organisation.

Youth workers provide a range of supports to the trainee to ensure they remain engaged in the program, as well as the provision of wraparound supports such as payment of myki cards, referrals for housing and accommodation and mental health support. Additionally, the host organisation receives:

• An upfront payment of $3425 from VCOSS when employing a trainee. This is in addition to any Commonwealth incentives that employers may be eligible for when employing a trainee.
• ongoing support from the LPO and youth worker
• regular visits from the training provider teaching staff
• clear requirements and expectations relating to the aligning work with the requirements of the formal training component of the traineeship
• collaboration with the LPO in relation to accessing flexible wraparound support needs the trainee may benefit from to address barriers or hurdles impacting their traineeship

Want to know more?

Register your interest by contacting our Project Co-ordinator, Lyndsey Bateman.