A jobs initiative in Melton South aims to give budding tradies and apprentices some guidance into training courses.
The Exchange, a program run by the developers of the new Atherstone estate, will help jobseekers into training and skills development courses at
Victoria University and Builders Academy Australia.
Lendlease Communities’ managing director Matthew Wallace said the program will link residents to employment opportunities and offer information about businesses, social enterprises, community groups and services in the area.
“The Exchange will initially play an important role in connecting the community with construction job opportunities, which may expand to different industry types as the community and local economy grows,” Mr Wallace said.
He said this was the second Exchange program the developers have established to promote growth and generate economic prosperity in its communities.
The development of the Atherstone estate community to date is estimated to have created more than 240 jobs with the objective of creating more than 2400 jobs by the end of the project, Mr Wallace said.
“Many of these jobs enhance not only the economic development of the community but its social fabric as approximately one in 12 homes in Atherstone will contain a home-based business.”
Melton mayor Sophie Ramsey, who will launch the program in coming weeks, said the benefits to the community would be widespread. “It’s such an important program for our community,” Cr Ramsey said.
“When you’ve got 83 per cent of our community having to leave the municipality to go to work, it’s great to have programs like this to offer training for the jobs that are needed here at the moment.”
The Exchange program, to be run out of Western BACE, will offer a certificate 3 and 4 and diploma in building and construction from Builders Academy Australia.
A Victoria University IT transition course will also be available through the program.
