The Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre is proud and excited to introduce LIFT (Local Industry Futures Training) - a new program aimed at helping vulnerable people find their passion and purpose.

At its heart, this new service, funded by the Federal Department of Social Services, is a job-readiness training program, but it’s so much more than that.

It’s a chance for Hervey Bay residents to find their purpose and take meaningful steps towards the job or career of their dreams.

Through a network of events, training and coaching opportunities, LIFT aims to break the cycle of long-term unemployment in our community.

This will be achieved through:

• Youth Assistance Program (YAP) for 16 to 18-year-olds
• Industry Ready Training for 18 to 35-year-olds
• Local Learning Network – workshops aimed at teaching new skills and encouraging community engagement

HBNC CEO, Tanya Stevenson, said LIFT gets right to the heart of what neighbourhood centres are here to do.

“LIFT is all about taking a proactive approach to building positive and resilient communities,” Tanya said.

“We know the Hinkler electorate region has some of the worst unemployment and youth unemployment rates in the state.

“There is no easy fix to this but something needs to be done to turn the tide.

“Simply telling people to ‘get a job’ is not enough. Often, people who are caught in the cycle of long-term unemployment lack job-readiness skills that could be considered basic or fundamental.

“The training and employment coaches, youth assistance officers and other team members employed through LIFT will work with job-seekers to build these skills, helping them gain and maintain employment.”

The program has already created six new local jobs, with a team leader, training and employment coaches and youth assistance officers joining the HBNC team.

LIFT is delivered through The Neighbourhood Hive, our learning and innovation hub.

It is made possible by $1,118,616 of Federal Government funding.

Next step in job-readiness plan

LIFT adds to HBNC’s growing suite of job training services, including The Wandering Teapot social enterprise and Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) hospitality training.

HBNC Operations Manager, Christian Berechree, said the organisation was taking a strategic approach to getting at-risk young jobseekers ready for work.

“Hospitality is one of our region’s biggest employers, so it makes sense to train jobseekers in the skills they need to get them the jobs that are out there,” Christian said.

“Using our established café, kitchen, catering and venue hire functions, we can provide a full hospitality training experience through our community hubs.”