AFTER sending out countless emails and getting no response from employers, Blair Shevlan nearly gave up on looking for work.
All she wanted was a job she could enjoy doing. But like many young people in Brimbank and Melton, she struggled to get a foot in the door.
In September last year, the Kealba resident, 23, was thrown a lifeline when her Centrelink case manager put her on to not-for-profit community service organisation WISE Employment.
WISE provided her with housekeeping training and she now works at Quest serviced apartments in Moonee Valley.
“I had such a difficult time finding a job I liked, but I’m really happy with what I’m doing now,” she says.
WISE was set up in 1992 to provide assistance to disadvantaged job seekers.
It has offices across Melbourne’s west, including St Albans, Broadmeadows and Melton.
Last week, workers at WISE in St Albans launched the first of a series of events to help young job seekers from the west secure employment through training and support services.
WISE chief executive John Bateup said there was often a lot of confusion about the options available to young people, especially those who left school early.
“The breakfast we held on Friday aimed to build a bridge between young people and local industry, community services and training providers,” Mr Bateup said.
Speaking at the breakfast, Taylors Lakes resident Renee Stephenson (pictured), 34, said WISE had helped her get a job with the Western Bulldogs.
“I left school without any real work experience. I was worried noone would be interested in giving me a job,” she said.
“My WISE case manager talked to me about traineeships, which help people without any experience learn on the job.”
