While the wider Geelong region continues to report low levels of unemployment, there are some suburbs who continue to experience unemployment rates as high as 20% and youth unemployment as high as 40%.*
The Give Where You Live Foundation’s GROW program aims to create more job opportunities for long term job seekers in areas of high unemployment across the G21 region. GROW assists in linking and connecting businesses and community organisations that create employment opportunities for people experiencing long term unemployment and other barriers to employment.
GROW is proud to be playing an important part in supporting the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre (GCEC) build. The major project will transform the Geelong waterfront site into an events precinct and has created employment opportunities for G21 locals both skilled and priority jobseekers facing barriers to employment.
As part of the project, the GCEC Early Engagement Social Procurement (GEESP) program, co-designed by GROW, has provided dedicated pre-employment training and apprenticeship placement opportunities for priority jobseekers living in Geelong.
Making a donation to the Give Geelong Appeal will give people in our community like Ali a life changing opportunity.
Ali’s story
Ali is 20 years old and migrated to Australia as a young boy with his family. Ali and his family did not speak English but Ali went on and attended Northern Bay College where he completed year 12. After high school Ali struggled to find sustainable long term employment, working as a casual in the fast food industry.
For Ali, being part of the GEESP program and having this opportunity has set up his future.
“I really feel like this is a great way to get a good job, a good career, for now and later on. I feel like it’s got my future sorted with a rewarding career. I’d like to stay on with Stowe and work on major projects once my apprenticeship is finished. I already feel part of the team.”
His enthusiasm and pride in all that he has achieved since starting on the project was evident. He is working on the Nyaal Banyul site as an apprentice electrician with Stowe Australia, commercial and industrial electrical contractors.
“It’s exciting being on site. It’s moving pretty quick. I get to do lots of watching and learning, and all the things that are safe for a first year to do. I’ve learnt heaps since starting, I’m even doing hands on things. And I’ve been making enough money to go and buy the tools that I need for work.”
When asked what had motivated him the most about being part of the program and having a job, the smile on Ali’s face said it all. “Really it’s the job itself, and the people. My co-workers are great, they’re nice, pretty helpful. I’m happy and enjoy coming to work. The course has been good for preparing me for work life.”
Ali feels that being part of the GEESP program has been an incredible opportunity. “One of my friends is looking for a job right now and he’s finding it really difficult. Whereas for me, this helped so much. I would say it is life changing.”
*source: ii. Census data compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).