Perfect time to give jobseekers a chance
IT IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING THAT 81 PER CENT OF (GRADUATES) HAVE FOUND AN OUTCOME AFTER THE PROGRAM, WHETHER IT IS FURTHER STUDY OR EMPLOYMENT. ELLY RIGNEY, TROUBLESMITHS
SMALL businesses now have the opportunity to access subsidies to hire an apprentice – and youth social enterprise Troublesmiths have the skilled workforce waiting to take up jobs.
Troublesmiths has been providing eight-week employability skills programs for the past four years and is now calling on businesses to take advantage of the federally funded Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy, by taking on a graduate for an apprenticeship.
Troublesmiths employment and business development officer Elly Rigney said graduates had extensive training in how to run the various elements of the business and how to hand-make natural Tasmanian products which are sold in the Hobart store, all while being professionally coached.
Ms Rigney said the 50 per cent wage subsidy program offered local businesses an opportunity to grow their business through the creation of new apprenticeships.
She said the benefits of choosing a Troublesmiths graduate spanned from their workforce readiness to the support they continue to receive once they complete the program.
“The feedback I’ve had from employers is the people who come through Troublesmiths have more confidence than anyone else in their first jobs,” she said.
“We are able to identify unique and individual skills and match these to local employers and we use strengthsbased, positive psychology techniques for professional development.
“There has never been a better time for a small business to employ a trainee … we provide support in interviews, training, on-boarding and mentoring for six months.”
The latest round of Troublesmiths participants graduated on September 16. They were involved in the state government-funded program which focuses on supporting those aged 15-24 who are first time jobseekers.
“It is absolutely amazing that 81 per cent of (graduates) have found an outcome after the program, whether it is further study or employment,” Ms Rigney said.
In addition to seeking more apprenticeships for graduates, Ms Rigney is starting conversations with businesses to organise work placements.
Robbie Iles, franchisee of Rosny and New Norfolk Banjos, has hired two Troublesmiths graduates in the past few months and has now offered to host participants for a day to decorate pastries, she said.
“Robbie told me that the real world experience and customer interaction the program provides gave these new employees the confidence boost they needed to land and succeed in their first jobs,” Ms Rigney said.
Troublesmiths is managed by Impact Communities, the community arm of non-profit Workskills, and is funded by the state government. All profits from the Troublesmiths store go back into the community.