Mount Alexander Shire is one of only two Councils in Australia contracted to provide Job Network, the Federal Government’s job assistance initiative. Mount Alexander Employment and Training Services (MAETS) addresses the needs of employers and job seekers in Castlemaine, Bendigo, Kyneton and Wedderburn. Funded via the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ and as part of the Job Futures group, a major focus of MAETS is assisting the long term unemployed to return to the workforce.
MAETS General Manager, Chris Moore, said intensive management programs support people who have been unemployed for three years or more.
“Run on a one on one basis, these programs aim to build the goals and self esteem of our clients,” he said. “Sometimes we may refer clients to counselling to resolve any issues that may be preventing them from job seeking.
“MAETS has been running for ten years and in this time we have placed a high percentage of our long term unemployed in jobs as a result of our intensive programs.”
Council’s Director Support Services, Sandra Wilson, said MAETS recognises that people with isolation issues can be living in a community, but feel very cut off from it.
“MAETS is a community building exercise, an intervention,” she said. “By showing people that someone has faith in them and believes in them, we are getting people back into the community and back on track.
“It is Council’s responsibility to recognise all strata of society. People with properties and jobs have a voice, they are heard. Through confidence and skill building, we believe this program gives people currently without a voice a chance to be heard.”
Chris Moore said a key role of MAETS is following up with clients and their employers.
“We keep in contact with both employers and employees for six months after the initial placement to ensure employment will continue, our clients have all the training they need and have the right equipment and clothing required.”
While the Job Placement Employment and Training (JPET) program assists young people with personal and social difficulties to find a place to live, organise finances, deal with difficult issues, stay at school, gain training or find a job, MAETS also assists young people at high risk of homelessness, drug or alcohol abuse, mental health issues and so forth.
