A pilot program of the Cultural and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Careers Program commenced in February, and will now continue through to June this year.
Its 87 participants have undertaken information sessions, factory tours, individual mentoring, pre- employment training and group workshops.
City of Ballarat Portfolio Councillor for People and Communities Belinda Coates said the program was a wonderful outcome for our multicultural community.
“With many community supporters and a growing list of registered employers, the program is gaining momentum and will no doubt see positive results.”
This successful program is primarily funded by the Federal Government, with the City of Ballarat contributing $15,000 of in-kind support.
The CALD program is a key outcome of the Multicultural Summit held in May 2012. The Summit identified a need for a specialised service provider to deliver employment and vocational assistance to multicultural members of the community.
Current partner agencies include Ballarat Community Health Centre, Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, Centre for Multicultural Youth, Child and Family Services Ballarat and Ballarat Group Training.
Ballarat’s multicultural community can visit the new Community Help Desk at the Ballarat Library for information on employment, housing and literacy, with resources available from multicultural service providers in the Grampians region.
The desk will be jointly staffed by the City of Ballarat, Ballarat Community Health Centre and Centre for Multicultural Youth with voluntary assistance from the City of Ballarat’s Multicultural Ambassadors and members of the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council.
