Job Seeker Programs

If you’re a job seeker, returning to work, retrenched worker, apprentice, trainee or business looking for staff, our employment pathways hub, the South West Skills and Jobs Centre, has everything you need.

At our walk-in centres, we will help you with career management, resume and cover letter writing and identifying training and employment opportunities. Our staff can help you choose the right career or training option, get you started on your new path, show you what supports are available or help your business find the right apprentice or trainee. We work with individuals, industry, business and the local community, so if you are looking to train or reskill, the South West Skills and Jobs Centre should be your first stop.

The Skills and Jobs Centre is not a Job Service Australia organisation but will provide:

• Assistance with understanding your study options; TAFE study, university courses, apprenticeships, and traineeships.
• Personal career planning, including the training and qualifications you’ll need to make a start or make a change.
• Getting credit for your existing skills and experience through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• Learning about jobs in demand and employment trends.
• Finding a job, including advice on preparing your resume and how to apply.
• Access to other support services including financial advice or welfare assistance.

Located in the historic Courthouse at South West TAFE’s Warrnambool campus, the Skills and Jobs Centre offers the following job seeker programs to help you gain the skills to make you more employable:                                                   

• Reconnect Program
• English as Second Language
• VCAL Pathways Program

Reconnect Program

Campus: Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton
Length: Tailored course plan dependent on student
Commencement: Ongoing enrolments

Reconnect gives you free access to a whole range of tailored support to meet your individual needs. We help you find the right training, education or employment to suit your skills, interests and career aspirations.

• Get in touch with skilled coaches ready to support you.
• Get the right training for the right job to suit you.
• Get access to financial assistance.

Reconnect is focused on supporting those:

• 17-19 years old
• who are not engaged in education or training for six months or more (less than 8 hours per week).

OR

• 20-64 years years old
• who have been unemployed for six months or more (less than 8 hours per week) and not engaged in education or training for six months or more (less than 8 hours per week).

OR

• 17 to 24 years of age
• who have been, or are currently on, Youth Justice Orders.

OR

a person without citizenship but holds a valid:

• Bridging Visa Class E (BVE);
• Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV);
• or Temporary Protection Visa (TPV).
• Humanitarian stay (temporary) (subclass 449) visa

You will receive ongoing support to assist in successful completion of studies to help gain employment or go onto further study.

Reconnect offers:

• Regular mentoring
• A plan tailored to help you achieve your goals
• Help getting you enrolled in further study
• Access to support services for up to 18 months
• Pathways to access support after finishing the program
• Assistance with accessing pre-accredited and accredited training
• Financial assistance for costs associated with training, education and employment

For further information or to find out if you are eligible please contact the Reconnect team by calling 55648525 or 0481 464 433, or by emailing reconnect@swtafe.edu.au