Our Programs
Past Programs
Work for the Dole Projects
Community Workforce Solutions successfully delivering Work for the Dole projects since the pilot round in 1997. Throughout the Work for the Dole scheme CWS provided valuable work experience for over 1000 jobseekers in areas from IT and childcare, to landscaping and woodwork. CWS has always been involved in caring for the environment and has been committed to bush regeneration projects since the program began.
In 2002 Work for the Dole participants worked on a variety of community projects. Through the Work for the Dole program, jobseekers had the opportunity to develop websites for community organisations, plant a community garden at Lindum, develop original woodwork pieces, restore furniture, and be involved in hundreds of other support roles within community not-for-profit organisations in all areas in Brisbane.
Community Workforce Solutions held a market day in July 2002 to showcase the woodwork and furniture pieces created on the Work for the Dole program.
CWS delivered a number of Work for the Dole Projects in Web Design. Participants on the projects worked with skilled supervisors to develop the following websites for community organisations:
- WROCCS
- Community Visitors Scheme
- CWS Youth Web
- Lifeline Bookfest
- The Girls’ Brigade Qld inc
- Tingalpa State School
- Wynnum Family Daycare
- Winnam Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation (WATSIC)
- CWS
- CWS Youth Week
- Wynnum RSL
Community Training Partnerships Program (CTPP)
CWS received funding under the QLD Government’s Smart State Initiative to deliver the Community Training Partnership program in the Port of Brisbane and surrounding areas. This program provided accredited training for over 200 people who were unemployed, underemployed or at risk of becoming unemployed.
CWS targeted the following industries for training in the Port of Brisbane area:
- Transport and Distribution
- Metals and Engineering
- Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Community Services and Health
The response from businesses, community organisations and individuals, was overwhelming. CWS provided CTPP clients with accredited training such as Certificate 4 in Information Technology, Software Applications courses, Certificate 3 & 4 in Community Services, Certificates in Engineering, and a range of other training courses.
CWS provided support to all participants on the program so they could achieve their training goals and outcomes. We also provided training in study skills, career counselling, job search training, communication skills, financial management, computer skills, time management, managing stress and other training support as required.
Personal Support Programme (PSP)
The PSP was a Commonwealth Government initiative funded through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR formerly DEWR).
The PSP provided personalised support for people who are experiencing personal, economic or social difficulties in their lives. The programme helped people to participate fully in their local community by providing individuals with information, resources and access to services.
We offered personalised service that catered for participant’s needs. The participant, along with their support worker, developed an action plan that identified areas that they felt they need assistance with. Their support worker was able to provide them with relevant information regarding services in the local community that could help to address these needs. Participants receive ongoing support while on the PSP.
On 1 July 2009, PSP and other DEEWR programs including the Job Network, JPET and New Enterprise Incentives Scheme (NEIS) were rolled into a new service titled Job Services Australia (JSA). CWS is a current provider of JSA.
Community Employment Assistance Program – “New Begininings”
Community Workforce Solutions delivered a Community Employment Assistance Program, funded through the Department of Employment and Training – The Job Ready Club.
CWS assisted people who were long-term unemployed, mature age, unemployed young people, young offenders, and women aiming to return to the workforce. Through the New Beginnings program, participants were offered a program of:
- Skills assessment and career counselling, using the “New Directions” counselling program
- Accredited training in information technology, horticulture
- Job search
- Life skills training
- Relevant work experience
Conversational Cafe for Bayside Migrants: this was held each Tuesday at the Lindum café.
Free Internet Training: this was for people wanting to enter the workforce who were not on Intensive Assistance / Customised Assistance with Centrelink.
Parents wanting to return to the workforce: Free Seminars were held regularly at Community Workforce Solutions. Topics covered included:
- Issues relevant to returning to the workforce after having a break for family commitment
- Parent’s sharing their stories of breaking back into the workforce
- Options for employment assistance
- Current trends in the world of work today
Youth Injected 2004 – National Youth Week Project
CWS, BABI Youth and Family Support and the Youth Participation Committee received funding from the Department of Employment and Training to deliver a project for National Youth Week 2004.
‘Youth Injected 2004’ was about young people injecting their creative talents and ideas into the community.
It involved a series of activities organised by community organisations, high schools and young people to celebrate and recognise young people in the Wynnum-Manly area.
The Youth Injected 2004 Project incorporated the Youth Injected 2004 Writing Competition, Youth Injected 2004 Website, and the Youth Injected 2004 Event.
Youth Voice Committee Development Project
The Youth Voice Committee Development Project was a collaboration of BABI Youth & Family Support and Community Workforce Solutions, and was funded through the Department of Employment and Training, Office of Youth Affairs.
The project involved the coordination and development of recently established Youth Voice Committee in the Wynnum and surrounding suburbs. The Committee was established in May 2003 by a core group of young people aged12-25 to “generate positive youth images, plan youth events and plan youth facilities in Wynnum/Manly”.
The project goals were:
- To generate youth and community awareness of the existing youth issues through positive promotion of young people in the community.
- To expand and develop the existing Youth Voice Committee to be fully representative of young people in the Wynnum/Manly areas.
- To empower committee members and interested young people with information and tools to equip them to maximize their participation in community and government decision-making processes.
The project aimed to develop young people’s skills & knowledge in areas such as establishment and development of youth committees and groups; peer support, youth leadership; youth justice and advocacy; affecting local council, state and federal government decision-making processes; media relations; proactive youth affairs; successful government funding applications; youth enterprise; planning successful youth events; establishing innovative youth networks; developing effective youth strategies; and experiential leadership development.
Youth Space Project
The Youth Space project developed youth leadership skills and provided cultural and artistic opportunities for young people in the Wynnum Manly area. The Youth Space provided opportunities for young people to pursue sporting and active recreational activities, including involvement in break dancing workshops and other activities identified by young people such as volleyball, basketball and dance. Young people were consulted as to the activities and workshops they were interested in participating in, and recreational and/or sporting activities that met new and emerging trends were encouraged .
The Youth Space Project also documented the culture of young people in 2004 in the Wynnum Manly area through the development of a Youth Film and the showcasing of young people’s talents. The objectives of the Youth Space Project were to:
- Provide opportunities for youth-specific cultural activities, including workshops in film making, hip hop culture, beat boxing, breakdancing, poetry, aerosol art, illustration software, computer image manipulation
- Provide opportunities for young people to have input into the local planning and development of permanent youth space in Wynnum/Manly
- Develop a safe and democratic space for young people to meet
- Expand and develop the existing Youth Voice Committee process to be fully representative of young people in the Wynnum/Manly areas
- Encourage community understanding of youth culture through positive promotion of young people, and to maximize their participation in community
- Provide the skills necessary in career building i.e. team work, leadership, technical skills, self expression, self determinism
- Be an advocacy tool for the development of a youth facility in Wynnum/Manly