Werribee will benefit from new jobs to be delivered under the Andrews Labor Government’s Working for Victoria initiative.

More than 145 new jobs will be supported at 20 social enterprises across Victoria, benefitting local economies and communities while providing employment for Victorians including young people, people with disability, refugees and newly arrived migrants.

At Mambourin, 7 workers will be employed in roles including Business Process Coach, Furniture Manufacturing Team, and Business Process Coach Gardening Team.

The extra jobs will support Mambourin to expand their gardening services to reflect increase in demand, and to partner with a new commercial furniture manufacturing facility. Increasing Mambourin’s capabilities to manage these works will enable them to provide meaningful employment and training opportunities to people with a disability.

The Social Foundry will also benefit from support from the Working for Victoria initiative, with 4.6 FTE jobs to be delivered – Carpenter / Mentor, Plumber / Mentor, Electrician / Mentor, Multicultural Coordinator / WfV Team Leader.

Social Foundry’s Construction Trades program provides young people with training in construction-related work-skills and life-skills. This funding will enable the program to expand both the technical training and mentoring available to the young people engaging in the program at Werribee.

A wide variety of organisations have won similar support across the state.

At Collingwood Children’s Farm, nine people will be employed to help relaunch the much-loved attraction after an eight-month closure.

Collingwood Children’s Farm has transformed one of its paddocks into a market garden and a horticulturist employed through Working for Victoria will help to maintain and improve the garden and run horticultural workshops for the community.

Other workers include the farm’s first volunteer co-ordinator, a carpenter, a social worker and a schools coordinator.

Abbotsford Convent has received support for 13 positions as it reopens its doors to the public, including visitor assistance, event coordination and community arts roles.

Enable in Broadmeadows will be able to hire computer testing, repair and retail workers to disassemble ewaste, repair donated computer equipment and distribute repaired and refurbished technology. The organisation is planning to distribute more than 100 user-ready tech items to disadvantaged Victorians.

Kinfolk will be able to hire an emergency relief coordinator, delivery driver, chefs and a baker to continue their emergency food relief program, which has involved providing 10,000 emergency relief meals and restocking 450 pantries for women and their families who have fled family violence.

The new Working for Victoria roles also include community development and social workers, workplace mentors, instructors and coaches, production and manufacturing jobs and technology and IT positions.

Since launching in April 2020, the Working for Victoria initiative has created more than 12,000 jobs. For more information or to register, go to www.vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“Mambourin and The Social Foundry are vital to our community and we’re proud to be able to provide this important boost to its workforce.” “We understand how important having a job is – the benefits for workers and families are profound – and we will continue to make the creation of work opportunities an absolute priority.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford

“Social enterprises tackle disadvantage and provide valuable jobs for a range of workers – we’re ensuring that they’re able to continuing to do that.” “This is about creating valuable jobs for Victorians and providing real benefits to the community.”