By Candice Boyle
THE Western Region Tool Library in Braybrook has been given an award for helping to build employment opportunities for the suburb’s residents.
The tool library was one of the skills centres given awards last month for the important practical skills and resources they provide to the community.
Part of the Braybrook Community Enterprise and Training Shed program, the tool library has helped to foster the skills of some of the 25 residents who have successfully gained employment through the program.
Victoria University’s employment and learning coordination unit manager, Fran Newell, said of the 25 residents placed into employment, 16 had achieved the outcome of retaining work for 16 weeks. Residents successfully placed into work include long-term unemployed, disability pensioners, sole parents, ex-offenders and members of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Ms Newell said the community program was a win-win project.
“Residents are improving their existing skills and learning new skills which in turn improve their opportunity to engage in employment,” she said.
The awards ceremony also recognised the establishment of Global Landscapes, the Maidstone Braybrook Landscaping and Gardening Enterprise business that has helped train and employ residents who had difficulty accessing the open labour market.
The Community Development Minister, Peter Batchelor, said at the ceremony that while each of the projects was different, a shared focus made them successful community initiatives.
“The projects provide practical services which meet community needs, as well as opportunities for local residents to build their skills and gain qualifications,” he said.
Awards were also presented for participation in the Braybrook Maidstone Energy Taskforce; achievement of sustainable employment through the Braybrook Maidstone Workforce Participation Partnership; and attainment of units in hospitality, small business and building and construction..
