Experts believe an Australian-first program will make life a little easier for Melton workers who have been retrenched or made redundant.
Designed to help workers re-enter the workforce, the web-based Workers Retraining and Adjustment Program (WRAP) was launched last Tuesday.
The program through which job seekers can access information, services and resources, was set up by Melton council with the help of local employment services and a $10,000 federal government grant.
Melton council industry and employment liaison officer Ola De Gabriele said too many people who lost their jobs fell through the cracks as they didn’t know where to seek help.
The site targets job seekers who were well trained and experienced in their previous jobs but who don’t qualify for Centrelink or possess the skills for positions available in the present market.
“It will be helpful for all job seekers but will target retrenched or about-to-be-retrenched workers,” Ms De Gabriele said.
“The goal is to make it as easy as possible for everyone to access.”
Ms De Gabriele said the website included local job advertisements, to which Melton residents will have first access.
“Local jobs and local workers will be matched together,’’ she said.
Melton has the highest unemployment rate in Melbourne’s west.
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures for the June quarter show the unemployment rate in Melton was 9 per cent, with 4598 residents out of work.
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations local employment co-ordinator Terry Kennedy, who helped establish the website, said he hoped it would be a prototype for other councils.
‘‘We want them [retrenched workers] to come in quicker, before the money runs out, and use resources like this website,” he said.
