TO address barriers to employment, Greater Shepparton City Council partnered with GOTAFE and Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC) to provide a careers presentation to Year 10 students. This was consolidated with two skills sessions, teaching retail/customer service skills and specific hospitality skills.
Both sessions were fun and informative, and designed to address students’ lack of confidence, lack of experience and mental health factors, which were identified as leading barriers to employment.
GSSC executive principal, Barbara O’Brien, “appreciates just how important customer service skills are for our Year 10 students. For many, their introduction to employment will be around this age and in the retail or hospitality sectors where our employers really need good, reliable staff.”
Local retail business owner, Stephen Schneider, feels it’s important to nurture our up-and-coming workforce, address some of their apprehensions and maybe give them a little more confidence in applying for their first job.
“These students are our future leaders, and we can learn a great deal from them as we help develop their employment skills.”
Young job seekers and businesses with casual or part-time positions available to young people should visit growgreatershepparton.com.au/youth
