200 Jobs in 100 Days Campaign Hits Target

Business trainee Kiara Atkinson has become the 200th person employed as an ambitious community jobs campaign across south-west Victoria hits its target.

The Westvic Staffing Solutions 200 Jobs in 100 Days campaign has successfully reached its aim, with a total of 203 new jobs created during the period.

Ms Atkinson, from Warrnambool, was the milestone appointment, taking on a traineeship with Murray City Country Coast GP Training.

The 200 Jobs in 100 Days campaign doubled the target of previous two years. Westvic Staffing Solutions Apprenticeship Employment Network Operations Manager Brendan Hawkins said the campaign was a great success thanks to the support of host employers and the community.

“We’re very grateful for the support from the local communities and the wonderful host employers who have supported this community campaign,” he said.

“We believe the success of the campaigns reflects confidence and buoyancy in the region. Businesses welcomed the opportunity to give a person an opportunity to get into some formal training.”

The 203 placements in 100 days were spread across different professions, including children’s services, education support, business, construction trades and automotive. “We had a nice cross section of employment opportunities right across the region,” Mr Hawkins said.

Westvic Staffing Solutions had run similar campaigns for 100 jobs in 100 days in recent years but after surpassing the target decided to set a new goal this year.

Westvic Staffing Solutions CEO Dean Luciani said the support reflected the community leadership shown by local businesses.

“It goes without saying that the staff at Westvic Staffing Solutions are highly skilled and dedicated professionals but at the end of the day, businesses large and small in the south-west region have again invested in our future workforce and that is community leadership,” Mr Luciani said.

Ms Atkinson completed Year 12 at Warrnambool College last year but admits she wasn’t sure of her next step.

“I didn’t do my exams because I wasn’t planning to go on to university. The school’s indigenous coordinator Ann Jane told me about the position at MCCC GP Training and put my name forward,” she said.

Ms Atkinson has now started her Certificate III in Business traineeship and is working as a program support officer with MCCC.

“At first I was a little nervous because I haven’t done office and business work before, but I’m really enjoying it and learning a lot,” she said.

Ms Atkinson, who is of Yorta Yorta and Torres Strait Islander background, is employed through Westvic Staffing Solutions and will undertake study component of her traineeship at South West TAFE.

“I’m just enjoying taking the opportunities given to me at the moment,” she said.

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