WRC links with national job agency
By John Dash* One ANU group is set to play a prominent role in employment in the ACT following the Australian Government's recent establishment of the Jobs Network which started this month. A part of Jobs Network is "JOB futures", the largest non-profit employment agency in Australia. JOB futures includes the Work Resources Centre (WRC), a community-based employment organisation established in 1980 and located in the old Kingsley Street buildings. The Centre was set up and funded by ANU academics and staff to help groups working to overcome unemployment in the community and to work directly to create jobs using support available from the community and the Government. Now, as part of JOB futures - an organisation which has over 80 branches around Australia - the WRC has access to wider resources. Since its establishment, more than 20,000 people have been trained or placed in a job through the Work Resources Centre. Sandra Mills is a typical example of people who have been helped by the WRC. She was categorised as long-term unemployed - without a job for more than 12 months - before Centrelink sent her to Caloola Farm where she undertook an office refresher course. She went to the Work Resources Centre for training and help in finding employment. Through the WRC, Sandra found a job helping with the administration of the ANU's Centre for Continuing Education. "I hadn't really given up hope and kept plugging away but it had got to the point where I thought I had hit the wall. "When I found out that I finally had an interview I thought that my luck had at last changed. I thank the staff at the WRC who were understanding, very friendly and helpful and I will always be grateful that they found me this opportunity," Ms Mills said. About 100 ANU staff members continue to contribute to the Work Resources Centre. To find out more about the WRC call inquiries on 6249 4484. *John Dash is Project Convenor at the ANU's Centre for Continuing Education.