The strength of the VU Polytechnic Skills & Jobs Centre lies not only in its attendance to individual client needs, but also in strong partnerships with community and local industry, linking training and skills development to relevant employment opportunities and local economy growth.
The clients of the Skills & Jobs Centre face many barriers when it comes to securing and maintaining employment. This is especially true during the COVID19 Pandemic as many people have undergone job losses, faced reduced hours, had their apprenticeship terminated and are confronted with significantly altered study/training arrangements. Our clients come primarily from CALD communities and often have difficulty communicating their needs, particularly when faced with the requirement to do so online. It has therefore been imperative for the VU Polytechnic Skills and Jobs Centre to remain flexible and adjust our services to best assist our clients.
From mid-March 2020 our Career Counsellors have provided tailored individual services to clients via telephone, email and/or online meeting platforms. Engaging with clients in this way allows us to continue to effectively provide one-on-one career advice, job-search assistance, suitable referrals and intensive interview preparation as required. Additionally, we have been conducting daily online workshops on a variety of topics such as Resume Writing, Job-Search Techniques, Study Pathway Options, developing a Career Action Plan and engaging with Government Initiatives, including up-to-date employment opportunities. We are constantly updating our workshops to align with current advice and our clients have responded very positively to these sessions, with many contacting us for additional one-on-one assistance.