New Work and Learning Centre for Moe
The Victorian Coalition Government's $4.6 million commitment to improving opportunities for public housing tenants will see a new Work and Learning Centre being set up in Moe.
Minister for Housing Wendy Lovell, together with Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood, announced that the Coalition Government was partnering with the Brotherhood of St Laurence to deliver the Centre.
The Centre will operate from the offices of Gippsland Employment Skills Training (GEST) in Anzac Street Moe, with outreach services to Morwell.
"It's exciting to announce that one of the five Work and Learning Centres we committed to will be delivered in Moe," Ms Lovell said.
"The Work and Learning Centre concept is about helping people in areas with high concentrations of public housing and disadvantage.
"We know that people who don't have a job can be excluded, not only economically but also socially, leaving them trapped in a cycle of disadvantage and isolation," Ms Lovell said.
"We know it's vital for people and communities to have access to work and training opportunities, and that stable employment is one of the key factors in building happy, healthy neighbourhoods.
Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood said the Work and Learning Centre would be a great asset to the Moe and Morwell communities.
"One of the key platforms of the Coalition Government is to provide opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians to connect with education, training, and work opportunities," Mr Blackwood said.
"The Work and Learning Centre will help many people in the region take the steps to change their life circumstances for the better."
The Moe Work and Learning Centre joins centres recently opened in Carlton and Geelong, while a fourth centre has been announced for Ballarat.
In the first six months of operation, the Carlton Centre has developed support plans for 51 clients, and placed 29 people into employment and training, while at the Geelong Centre, 174 clients have support plans and 117 have been supported into employment and training.
The Moe Centre will provide a friendly space where residents of the surrounding public housing estates can receive advice and support to access employment and training.
Tenants will have access to Work and Learning Advisers, computers, and a range of training programs and employment opportunities where they can develop individual plans to identify barriers to employment and the means of overcoming them.
GEST is a dynamic Adult Community Education Provider, based in Moe, which provides training in horticulture, retail, hospitality, aged care, home and community care, information technology, forklift and construction induction and first aid, as well as bridging and pathway programs, and vocational preparation and support.
Acting CEO of GEST Noreen Plozza said the new Centre will provide a much needed resource for the Moe and Morwell communities.
"The new Centre will help build the capacity of local people and position them for the industry sectors that are expected to grow in the area - such as education and training, health and aged care, and new technologies/skills that are evolving around the more sustainable use of resources," Ms Plozza said.
"We will be providing extra support to public housing tenants in Moe and Morwell to ensure individuals can overcome the barriers to employment, and help them reach their career goals."
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