The Victorian Government is investing $3.9 million to provide culturally responsive and individualised support to young and multicultural jobseekers.
What are Community Employment Connectors?
Community Employment Connectors (CEC) provide culturally responsive and individualised support to help disadvantaged jobseekers navigate and connect with employment and training services.
The program aims to specifically support:
- young people aged 16-25 from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who face barriers to employment and training pathways
- adults from CALD backgrounds who face barriers to securing sustainable employment.
CECs work proactively within local communities and service systems to help disadvantaged CALD and young jobseekers prepare for and secure employment through information, referral and connection supports.
How does the program work?
Organisations with expertise and relationships with Victoria’s multicultural communities will be hosting one or more CECs to work with local multicultural communities and young people. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) will partner with funded organisations to deliver the program through training, professional development and other support.
The program is run in collaboration with the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR).
Supporting jobseekers through the pandemic
The program aims to support CALD and young jobseekers facing barriers to entry and re-entry to employment pathways, particularly in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
This is in recognition that these cohorts already faced challenges to full economic participation pre-pandemic, which have been compounded further by the effects of the pandemic. The program therefore focuses on the delivery of enhanced advocacy, support and brokerage services that respond to the needs of CALD and young jobseekers.
Funded organisations
| Organisation | Number of CECs | Region |
|---|---|---|
| MiCare and Wyndham Community and Education Centre | 5 |
West |
| Brotherhood of St Laurence |
3 | North Metropolitan |
| South East Community Links | 4 | South Metropolitan |
| Migrant Information Centre | 1 | East Metropolitan |
| Diversitat | 2 | Barwon and Great South Coast |
| Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District | 3 | Goulburn |
| Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council | 1 | Mallee |
| Latrobe Community Health Service | 2 | Gippsland |
| City of Greater Bendigo | 2 | Loddon Campaspe |
| Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council |
2 | Wimmera and Central Highlands |
| Gateway Health | 2 | Ovens Murray |
| Total | 27 |
Updated